3 Ways to Pay Less on Family Car Insurance
Your family’s car insurance could be a major monthly expense, and that is why you should keep an eye out for any steps that you can take to keep your premiums at a manageable level.
With a few simple changes to your vehicle and driving habits, you could potentially save hundreds a year on your auto insurance.
Have All of the Drivers in Your Family Take a Defensive Driving Course
Taking a defensive driving course is going to cost you a little money, but those classes could end up saving you quite a bit in the long run.
During your course, an experienced driver is going to teach you a wide variety of skills and tactics that are going to keep you safe while out on the road.
Some safety courses even show you how to regain control of your vehicle when you are in dangerous situations such as sliding across black ice.
While the slightly lowered premium your carrier can give you for finishing the course may not cover its cost, the main way this serves to reduce your premiums is by giving you the skills necessary to avoid collisions and tickets, which can hike up your insurance premiums.
Improve Your Credit Score
It might not seem like your credit score should impact your insurance rates, but studies have revealed that drivers who have higher credit scores tend to file fewer insurance claims.
That is why insurance companies tend to increase their premiums if you have bad credit.
At the very least, you need to make sure that there are no major blemishes on your credit report.
You can also increase your credit score by paying off any high-interest credit cards that are in your name.
Keep Your Car Well-Maintained
In addition to increasing the lifespan of your vehicle, keeping your car well-maintained is also going to reduce your risk of an unnecessary accident, and a single collision could increase your insurance premiums by a huge amount.
Many drivers don’t realize that a seemingly minor mechanical problem could impact a vehicle’s handling or compromise some of its most important safety features.
If you believe that any mechanical problems are taking place, then you must immediately head to a local shop that offers basic automotive repair services.
You should also make sure that you carry out important maintenance tasks such as rotating the tires, changing the oil, and flushing the fluids.
Even if your auto insurance premiums seem to be skyrocketing, it is important to remember that your rates aren’t permanently fixed.
Your company could be charging you more than they need to, and a quick call could reduce your insurance premiums by a significant amount without impacting your overall coverage.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
Category: Insurance