Car insurance is one of the most important types of coverage, but it’s also one of the most expensive. For new drivers, young drivers, or individuals with spotty records, paying for insurance can appear to be too expensive to manage.
However, there are plenty of ways for you to find the cheapest car insurance on the market. Even if you’re interested in lowering your premiums, it’s recommended you use these tips to make sure you’re getting the most out of your policy. We’ll also recommend the top providers that might be willing to give you the lowest possible rates.
The Best Ways to Find Cheap Car Insurance
You’ll be happy to know that there are a variety of ways to find the cheapest car insurance on the market. All you need to do is be forth-coming with your driving history and be willing to make a couple of lifestyle changes. Additionally, you’ll need to take time out of your schedule to shop around for different rates.
Buying the Right Car
Before you even purchase a vehicle, it’s important to take insurance into account. Many drivers believe the older your car is, the cheaper your insurance will be. However, this is not always the case.
There are different statistics that insurance providers take into account before providing a quote. These statistics will include car mileage, anti-theft systems, reliability, the rarity of the vehicle, and its age.
When you start shopping around, you’ll want to find a vehicle that is safe and has an up-to-date security system. Additionally, you won’t want to choose a car with a mileage that is too high before you get a chance to drive it. The cars that are the least expensive to insure are those that are protected and reliable.
Maintain a Good Driving Record
By far, the one factor that will affect your insurance the most is your driving record. For many drivers, it might already be too late to avoid getting tickets and penalties. Unfortunately, this means they might be required to sign up with high-risk insurance companies.
If you’re someone with a clean driving record, it’s important that you maintain it. Make sure that you don’t speed, you don’t drive with distracted, and you follow the basic rules of the road. A single speeding ticket can increase your insurance premiums.
Maintain Good Credit
Your credit score will affect nearly everything in your life, which is why it’s important for you to keep it healthy. Making sure that you pay your regular bills on time and don’t overspend on credit cards can help you to save on insurance.
The only states that don’t require a credit check are Massachusetts, Hawaii, and California. According to NerdWallet, the poorer your credit is, the more expensive your insurance rates will be. With that being said, it’s not too late for people with poor credit, as you can always turn it around.
Shop Around for Quotes
Much like buying anything else, it’s important for you to get a sufficient amount of quotes. When it comes to insurance, just because one provider is offering a certain premium, it doesn’t mean every provider will offer the same amount.
In fact, if insurance providers know that you are shopping around, they’ll be willing to bargain with you. It’s also important to note that not every policy is created equally. Some providers might offer the same type of coverage for varying amounts.
Take the time to use the internet to shop for different quotes. You’ll also want to make sure that you enter the same information for each quote. This will help you to get the best deal for the coverage you need. It’s also recommended that you speak to an insurance agent to see what types of coverage you can add to your policy for more protection.
Inquire About Rewards for Good Drivers
As mentioned above, a clean driving history is a great way to find inexpensive car insurance rates. Additionally, you’ll want to find an insurance company that rewards their good drivers. There are plenty, such as Allstate, that help to cut back on your insurance premiums because of clean driving histories.
More insurance providers understand that punishing their good drivers for the bad drivers’ behavior is unnecessary. Today, you’ll easily be able to find providers that will reward you for staying safe while on the road. This can either put money back into your pocket right away or cut back on the costs of your insurance premiums.
Ask About Discounts
It’s true when they say you won’t know until you ask. This also applies to your insurance. Speaking to an insurance agent can be one of the easiest ways to find the cheapest car insurance. Ask about different discounts that you might be eligible for and inquire about different ways that you can save.
For example, bundling different types of insurance together may help you to get lower premiums. You might also find that staying with the same company that offers your homeowners insurance, for example, can help you save on car insurance.
The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies
It’s difficult to tell you which car insurance company will give you the lowest rate, especially as plenty of personal factors are taken into account. Every policy isn’t created the same, which is why it’s so important for you to get your own quotes.
However, there are certain providers that are well known for offering the most agreeable rates. The number one rule of thumb is to avoid high-risk insurance providers. These companies are specifically designed for drivers with spotty records, which means their premiums are incredibly high.
The top-rated inexpensive car insurance providers include:
- USAA ($2537 average national rate)
- Geico ($3215 average national rate)
- State Farm ($3260 average national rate)
- American Family ($3443 average national rate)
- Nationwide ($3450 average national rate)
- Progressive ($4035 average national rate)
Final Thoughts
The most important tip that you can have for finding the cheapest car insurance on the market is to shop around for quotes. Additionally, you’ll want to maintain a clean driving record.
By taking the time to find the perfect policy for your needs, you’ll have the ideal amount of coverage for an affordable price. This will help you to have the peace of mind you need meanwhile helping you to save on your annual expenses.