There are not many expenses that individuals can avoid and for many auto insurance is one of those bills that must be paid if they choose to own and operate a vehicle. Although nobody really looks forward to paying their premiums when they are due, there are many things that motorists can do and control to ensure that their policies can be afforded. Many people pay high amounts for automobile coverage, but in many cases this could have been avoided in a number of different ways.

One of the biggest factors that an insurer uses to calculate a premium is a person’s driving history; a person with multiple violations and accidents on their record are less likely to find affordable car insurance than drivers who have maintained clean driving histories and subsequently pay higher rates for coverage. Obeying traffic laws is in the hands of the person behind the wheel and by doing so it can keep rates down. Individuals who tend to run red lights, speed or drive under the influence have not only a higher chance of getting a ticket, but can also cause a traffic accident; this is simply bad judgment which will be reflected in their premiums. Driving safe and responsibly is probably the easiest way that consumers can make coverage as cheap as possible.

Additional Ways to Keep auto insurance Affordable

As mentioned, a person’s driving history is weighed heavily to determine premiums and unfortunately for newly licensed motorists they will not have a record showing whether or not they are a “good” driver and will likely find themselves paying higher rates for car insurance. These individuals and everyone one else for that matter, will need to put in a little legwork and shop around and compare for the most affordable rates. There are many companies to choose from, but the cheapest one is not going to find you; take the time to get as many quotes as possible in order to make sure that the best rate has been found.

In addition, motorists should be aware of any discounts that are available and applicable and take advantage of them; some discounts can provide a savings of up to 20%. A discount may be available if you are a good driver and/or student, have a vehicle equipped with certain safety features and anti-theft devices, have a good credit score or complete a recognized drivers education course; more may be available and be sure to address any when shopping around. The Oklahoma Insurance Department suggests raising a deductible in order to lower the cost of coverage; the reason for this is because generally the higher the deductible the lower the premium, but one should be aware that the deductibles chosen will need to be paid in the event of a loss and should not choose an amount that cannot be paid. Although insurers calculate rates, there are many things that consumers can do to make sure that their coverage is as affordable as possible.