5 Simple Ways You Can Save on Your Auto Insurance [SPONSORED]

Not many of us question our car insurance rates, but the truth is we should.  Unfortunately, you can’t rely on your provider or agent to make sure you are getting every discount possible, and consequently, the best rate possible.  We've teamed with Cure Auto Insurance to make you aware of five simple things you can and should do to save hundreds off your yearly bill.

Get a Higher Deductible

If you don’t already know, a higher deductible means you will agree to pay a larger amount if you get into an accident that is your fault.  But when you increase that deductible an insurance company will lower the amount they charge you.  Put simply, a lower deductible means a higher premium, and visa versa.

The biggest mistake people make is their decision to have a lower deductible “just in case” they get into a car accident.  Drivers often don’t realize how much raising the deductible actually lowers their premium. Because chances are you will save more money on your premium over the years that you don’t get into an accident and although you might pay a higher deductible “IF” you get into a car accident that is you fault – you will have likely saved that amount over the years from having the higher deductible.  Most people don’t understand that your deductible only needs to be paid if you get in an accident that is your fault (unless the person who hit you has no insurance) and you file a claim.  So, generally that deductible isn’t much of an increased risk if you don’t get into accidents that are your fault.

Vanishing Deductible Fees

It is also a good idea to watch out for vanishing deductible programs.  Even though you will have a low deductible, this could all be lost.  Once you get in an accident, you will most likely lose the low deductible, any features you gained, and you will probably become ineligible or nonrenewable because they won’t want you in that program anymore.  You often pay more than you gain when you sign up for a vanishing deductible; always be sure to thoroughly read the terms and conditions.

Buy Your Teenager Their Own Car

It may sound absurd, but buying a car could actually save both of you money.  Many working families fear that having an extra car may be unaffordable.  However, when your teenage gets their license your car insurance will undoubtedly skyrocket.  While this doesn’t make common sense for a dual-income generating household where two cars are driven every day by both working parents and no car is even available to the teenager, it’s how most car insurers rate drivers.  The reason is that most car insurance companies will assign the highest risk driver (your new teenage driver) with the highest rated (valued) car if that driver does not have a car that they can assign that driver.

Purchase a car for your teen that is a few hundred dollars, and insure it under their name with minimum coverage.  By purchasing an inexpensive car and putting it in their name, you are now forcing the insurance company to assign the highest risk driver with the lowest valued car.  Even if the car is rarely used, they will have to do this because it is in their name.  If you don’t, you could end up paying triple what you are already paying for your car insurance.

Affiliate Savings

Find out if your employer is an affiliate of a car insurance company.  If so, you may be able to get a discount.  This is something that may not be advertised well, but could be saving you additional money off your insurance bill.

Discounts

It would be a good idea to go through all of the discounts being offered, chances are you qualify for a couple.  Most companies, although they won’t deny you the discounts, will not inform you that they are available.  Every company has different discounts, so you will want to look into them, especially when shopping around.  For example, CURE Auto Insurance gives drivers a 25% discount on your physical damage premium if you park your car in a garage, or a 10% discount for parking in a driveway.

Car insurance companies have different perks and drawbacks; bottom line, make sure to shop around and determine which one is the best fit for you.

This post was produced in collaboration with our advertising partner CURE Auto Insurance.