Car Insurance Quotes: Make Them Drop
Friday, May 6th, 2011Most car insurance companies, including Progressive and American Commerce, have their own calculation for determining car insurance quotes. You may feel like the rate you end up paying is out of your control but that isn’t necessarily the case. There are numerous factors insurers use that are within your control and knowing what they are can help you save money.
The biggest factor is often driving record, and although you cannot do anything about the past, you can control your future driving habits and wait until previous driving violations fall of your records, which they eventually do. You can have a clean slate with a little patience and careful driving practices. Another big one these days is credit rating. Again, the past is the past, but derogatory marks fall off your file in about 7 years, and focusing on paying your bills on time and keeping your debt levels down will pay off in the long run.
Of course what type of car you drive is going to have a huge impact on your car insurance quotes. In general, the more expensive the car the higher your quotes will be. Take a serious look at how big of a car you need, and how important luxury really is considering the overall costs. Not only will that actual car cost more money, but maintenance and insurance will be higher. The extra money can add up to a lot over the years.
And make sure you are shopping around for the best rate. Just because one car insurance company gives you a hefty price, doesn’t mean they all will. Get at least 3-4 quotes, if not more, and compare any trends you may see. You’ll also want to make sure your coverage is sufficient and meets your needs.
