Do you wince every time you open your mail from your car insurance company? I don’t blame you. Every day thousands of drivers get bad news from their insurance company. They find out they’re going to pay hundreds of dollars more for their car insurance. Don’t be one of them. Follow these 3 simple techniques to keep your rate where it belongs.

1. Take your time
If you want to keep your car insurance rate as low as possible take your time and be a safe driver. This may seem obvious but the worst thing you can do is to have an at-fault claim or a speeding ticket. And most accidents and speeding tickets happen when the driver is in a hurry.

Give yourself enough time. Stay off your phone. Don’t text. And don’t fiddle around with your GPS. Spend the extra minute. Pull over and take care of it. It could save more than a few hundred dollars on your insurance. It could save someone’s life.

2. Watch your credit.
Most insurers use a customer’s credit history or credit score when determining their premium. Research has shown that drivers with good credit or a high credit score number are responsible, cautious, and less likely to file a claim. In turn, having poor credit or a low score tells an insurance company that you are under financial stress and are more likely to take risks.

One of the worst things you can do is stop paying your insurance bill — even if you’re getting ready to switch companies. Missing a payment or letting your auto policy lapse not only puts you at risk if you have an accident, it can lower your credit score and make it more expensive to get car insurance.

3. Shop around.
The cost of car insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars or more from one company to the next for the same coverage. Every company operates differently. Some sell direct to consumers. Other companies use agents and brokers who get paid additional fees or commissions. And just as rates vary, so does the level of features and service. While a company includes emergency roadside assistance at no additional charge, others give you a bare-boned policy and little more.

Just because your insurance company gave you the best rate a few years ago doesn’t mean they’re giving you the best rate now. To be sure you’re getting the price and quality you deserve, you should secure at least three quotes from three different companies every three years.

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