Passing your driving test is something that most people look forward to with high hopes and great expectations, but it also opens to the door a whole host of new questions about insurance: which company? What coverage? Can you afford the monthly payments? What will you have to do to be able to afford them? There are many things you can do to protect the financial value of your car when it’s on the road. Here’s how to actually save money on your car insurance.
Buy the Right Car
It’s also important to buy the right car for the right insurance. It is very tempting to shoot for the newest model of Mercedes-Benz as soon as your driver’s license comes in the mail, but consider that the more expensive the car, the more expensive the insurance. Car insurance premiums can be very different depending on the individual specifications of the vehicle. It’s not glamorous to start with a economical car, but not only will you save money on the car, you will also save a significant amount of money on your insurance.
Drive Less
Driving less not only saves money on gas and car servicing, it also saves money on insurance. Car insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who clock mileage under the national average. Their logic is that the less you drive, the less likely you are to be involved in an accident, so it wouldn’t make sense to charge you the same as someone who is on the road all the time, and more prone to being in (or causing) accidents. If you’re looking to save money on car insurance, consider using your car only when you absolutely have to.
Research and Compare
Your first step should be to research and compare insurance plans – something that is extremely easy to do, thanks to the World Wide Web. There are dozens of companies offering contrasting and equally viable options. Don’t simply go with the one that has the most memorable advertising. Consult friends and family members, go online and read blogs, and spend a lot of time eliminating companies one by one until you’re left with a car insurance option that you feel is right for your needs and your budget.
Keep Good Credit
Whether or not it’s fair to assume that people with better credit are better drivers, more and more auto insurance companies take credit scores into account when calculating an insurance rate for their customers. The logic is that the healthier your credit score is, the more likely the probability you will be on time with your insurance payments. A car insurance company (like one you might find at Usinsurancenet.com) might reason that you are a more reliable customer (and, by extension, a more reliable driver) based on your credit score. There are many reasons to have a good credit score, and saving money on car insurance is one of them.