by William Murphy

Do you feel that you are paying too much for your car insurance? You aren’t alone. Many drivers end up paying more than they should, partly because of the confusing number of options available and partly because the auto insurance companies are not usually anxious to offer any discounts.

You want to start by shopping around for the best car insurance quote. You can do this by phone or online, but online is normally faster. There are websites online that you give your information to once and they give you quotes from several different insurance companies. Also, keep in mind that you typically do not need to wait until your current policy expires in order to switch companies.

If you want the lowest insurance premiums possible, you need to be a safe driver. Insurance companies reward the drivers with safe driving records with lower rates. Even if you have had an accident or moving violation, it pays to ask your insurance company how long you need to go without an incident before you can get a discount. Also, for teens and older drivers, a safe driving course may help lower your rates.

Certain safety features on your car may also qualify you for discounts. You may be able to lower your rates if you have an anti-theft device, airbags, automatic seat belts, or anti-lock brakes.

If possible, use the same insurance company for both your car and homeowners insurance- it’s usually less expensive. And you may also be eligible for a discount if you drive less than a certain number of miles in a year.

Choosing a higher deductible is a common way to lower your premiums. The deductible is how much you have to pay out of your pocket before the insurance company pays for the rest of the claim. By just increasing your deductible from $100 to $500 you can often save 15 to 30% on your premiums.

The deductible make a big difference with an older car. Many times it doesn’t make sense to get collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is worth less than a couple thousand dollars, and you definitely want a higher deductible in this case. Also, keep in mind that SUV’s and sports cars generally have much higher premiums – when you’re in the market to buy a car.

Like it or not, car insurance is required by law. By doing your homework, you can save a significant amount of money on this necessary expense.

About the Author:

Before you buy car insurance, make sure you go to William Murphy’s site for cheap car insurance. Get rate quotes from all the top car insurance companies with one easy form to make sure you get the cheapest car insurance.