How to Get Cheap Car Insurance Quotes

If you want to save as much as possible on your car insurance, your best bet is to compare quotes from several carriers. Many people think there's not enough difference between them to make it worth the hassle of shopping around. However, the same policy can vary by hundreds of dollars from one company to the next.

The least expensive car insurance plans are the ones that provide the bare minimum of coverage your state requires to drive legally. Unfortunately, this won't cover any damage your vehicle sustains. It will only cover medical costs and damages to other drivers and property. This is a good option for people with limited assets and whose vehicles have a low value.

It's generally recommended to opt for full coverage if you could otherwise compromise your savings or assets or if your car is worth a lot. This usually includes $100,000 of coverage for injury liability to a maximum of $300,000, and another $100,000 for property damage liability. Full coverage also pays for damage caused by theft, hail, fire and collision with an average deductible of $500.

It's strongly recommended to obtain quotes from no less than three insurance providers offering the same policies. This will get you the best price possible for your needs, and some may offer better terms than others for a similar cost.

Keep Your Credit in Good Standing

Besides shopping around for the best deal, you can also help your case by avoiding black marks against your credit history and keeping your score high. This is among the easiest ways to ensure that you pay less for car insurance since it demonstrates good financial responsibility.

Keep Traffic Violations Off Your Record

Whether it's for a speeding or parking violation, getting a ticket makes insurance companies see you as more of a liability. When you're looking for the best quote on a policy, it's important to consider that information. In most cases, a history of accidents, speeding, moving violations or DUIs will net you much higher premium costs than if you had no record at all. You should always look into your driving record before obtaining quotes to check for mistakes or anything else that could needlessly increase what you pay, then take steps to get these issues resolved. That said, even if you have these violations on your record, you can still save money by comparing different options.

Go With Minimum Liability Coverage

The easiest way to get the cheapest possible car insurance premium is to go with the minimum coverage required by law. There's little point in paying considerably more for full coverage if your car is more than a decade old, has a low blue book value or if you don't have a lot of assets to protect. This type of coverage will only pay for the value of your vehicle after the deductible. However, remember that minimum coverage will not pay for your injuries or damage to property owned by you.

Settle for a Higher Deductible

You can usually get cheaper rates on a comprehensive and collision policy if you're willing to pay a higher deductible. These deductibles can range from as little as $250 to as much as $1,000. Your deductible is the amount that you agree to pay out of pocket towards any costs associated with an accident. Once you've paid this deductible, only then will your insurance company begin paying their share of the damages. How much money you save with this option depends on what you have now and what you switch to.

Ask for a Discount

Part of saving money on your car insurance means ensuring that you're taking advantage of any discounts you may qualify for. A good start is to call your current insurer or one that you're considering switching to and ask them if you qualify for any. Some offer low-mileage discounts for customers who don't drive much, as well as discounts for students and even senior citizens.