Depending on a person’s particular criteria the cost of auto insurance can become quite expensive; rates are based on a driver’s record, age, gender, place of residence, type of vehicle and coverage desired. For certain individuals the price of a policy can be unaffordable if not properly shopped for. An example would be a 16 year old male with a new vehicle in an urban area; young males pay more than any other motorists that have similar driving records (tickets and accidents), also newer automobiles will likely need Comprehensive and Collision and urban areas usually have higher rates due to the amount of vehicles on the road and increased risk of a loss. Therefore, an individual such as this would need to find the cheapest policy as possible in order to have the ability to afford and maintain coverage.

Finding affordable policies is best achieved with a little bit of legwork. Dependent on the state in which an individual resides there can be hundreds of companies that are licensed and authorized to do business and issue coverage. Locating cheap car insurance will come down to taking the time to compare as many rates from carriers as possible. While it may be impossible to get a quote from every company, the more that are obtained will increase the chances of getting the best deal possible. When shopping for affordable rates a person’s approach is very important as well; individuals should be aware of the options that they have when purchasing a policy to help avoid overpaying for coverage.

Many motorists will qualify for a discount which can save themselves a substantial amount on premiums; one should make themselves aware of the available discounts that they may be able to receive and be sure to address them before buying policies. In addition, when shopping for a policy one should make sure that they are obtaining the right coverage and make sure that they do not end up paying for options that they may not need. A common mistake that consumers make is to have Comprehensive and Collision on a vehicle which may not need it; industry professionals often suggest dropping protection for physical damage when a vehicle’s value becomes insignificant because the cost of covering it and the deductible may add to more than what the automobile is worth. One should be careful when choosing the right coverage and should not sacrifice necessary protection to shave a few dollars off of their premiums.

Keeping car insurance as Cheap as Possible

In addition to finding the cheapest rates for coverage, it can be just as important for individuals to know how and keep the auto insurance as low as possible. The best way for motorists to keep the cost of policies affordable is to practice safe driving at all times. Being convicted of tickets and violations will not only cost the driver the amount of the citation, but it can impact their rates for 3 to 5 years following the conviction; being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can raise rates even more. Additionally, causing a traffic accident can also raise premiums and multiple accidents may cause a driver to be dropped by their carrier and finding it difficult to get insured. Therefore, practicing safe driving is extremely crucial in keeping the cost of a policy down staying insured.

Adding a new vehicle or deleting an automobile and adding another can also affect premiums; fortunately consumers usually have a choice of what type of vehicle they will be purchasing. Automobiles equipped with safety features and have a high safety rating will most likely be cheaper to insure and sports cars will often be more expensive to cover. It may also be wise to compare quotes for different types of vehicles before purchasing one to ensure that the cost will be affordable; in some cases, the price of a policy can vary on certain models even if they are in the same price range. According to a consumer guide titled “9 Ways To Lower Your auto insurance Costs” it states that premiums are based on sticker price, the amount it would cost to repair it and the likelihood of theft; individuals who are considering purchasing vehicles needing Comprehensive and Collision should definitely get quotes on the automobile before buying it because some are much more expensive to repair than others. Although some factors of premiums cannot be controlled by motorists there are some that can be; by properly shopping and understanding what affects the prices of policies, consumers may be able to get cheap rates.