3 Tips for Finding Inexpensive Car Insurance Coverage (2024)

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Updated on September 29, 2022 by Editorial Staff

3 Tips for Finding Inexpensive Car Insurance Coverage (1)

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With the rising costs of, well, everything these days, many people are taking a hard look at their finances to see where they can save money each month. From buying in bulk to save money on groceries to carpooling to save money on gas, cutting costs is definitely top of mind.

Another way savvy spenders are cutting costs is by looking for cheaper car insurance rates. Is exploring inexpensive car insurance coverage on your to-do list? Here are three tips to help you find the best car insurance coverage possible:

1. Understand How Your Credit Score Impacts the Cost of Insurance

Unless you live in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, or Michigan, it’s important to know how your credit score may impact your rate. If your credit score is considered “good,” you need not worry. However, if your credit score is considered “fair” or “poor,” you could potentially be asked to pay hundreds of dollars more per year.

It’s also important to know the credit score insurance companies use isn’t exactly the same as your FICO or Vantage score. Instead, companies rely on a credit-based insurance score, which takes many of the same factors into account but weights them differently.

Because of this, having little or no credit history, too many recent inquiries on your credit record, and high credit card balances could have a much bigger impact on your credit-based insurance score compared to your FICO score. Keep these factors in mind as you begin your quest for cheap car insurance.

2. See What the Experts are Saying

Sure, every car insurance company will give you a laundry list of reasons why you should choose them over the competition. But what are the experts saying? Whether you’re at the beginning of your search or you’ve narrowed your list to two or three solid options, it’s a good idea to seek out expert opinions on cheaper car insurance companies, too. Not only will this give you unbiased information, but in many cases, a lot of the legwork has already been done for you. Indeed, that can help you save lots of time. And time is money, after all.

3. Ask for Discounts

If you’re happy with your insurance provider but curious if you can get a better rate, then you might want to inquire about discounts. Say you also have your renters’ or homeowners’ insurance with the same company. If so, ask about discounts for bundling policies. Additionally, the following are all valid reasons to ask for discounts:

  • You have a safe driving record.
  • You recently installed an alarm system on your vehicle.
  • You’re working from home and driving significantly fewer miles on a regular basis.

If you have a teen driver, you can ask about student discounts based on school performance or their distance away from home while attending college.

Plus, if you’ve been working hard to improve your credit score and have made progress, ask about getting a better rate. If you’re turned down, don’t forget there’s a slew of other car insurance companies that would be happy to earn your business.

Ready, Set, Go!

With the rising cost of everything from groceries to gas, many people are looking for as many ways as possible to save money. Searching for cheap car insurance is one of those expenses. To find the most inexpensive car insurance rates, make sure you understand how your credit score will impact the cost. Rely on expert opinions to help guide your decision. And don’t shy away from asking for discounts. Now you’re ready. Go save some money on your car insurance!

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3 Tips for Finding Inexpensive Car Insurance Coverage (2024)

FAQs

3 Tips for Finding Inexpensive Car Insurance Coverage? ›

Some factors that may affect your auto insurance premiums are your car, your driving habits, demographic factors and the coverages, limits and deductibles you choose.

What are at least 3 factors that affect the cost of auto insurance? ›

Some factors that may affect your auto insurance premiums are your car, your driving habits, demographic factors and the coverages, limits and deductibles you choose.

What are 5 tips for buying car insurance? ›

Take These Steps to Save More
  • Keep your credit and driving record clean. Both have an impact on the price of your insurance premium. ...
  • Choose your car wisely. Premiums vary by model. ...
  • Assign the right driver to the right car. Ask your insurance agent who the principal driver should be for each car in your household.
Mar 14, 2023

What is one way to lower your insurance costs? ›

Increase your deductible

Depending on your insurance provider, paying a higher deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in, in the event of an incident) is typically a quick and easy way you can decrease your auto insurance payments.

What are some ways to cut costs on car insurance? ›

How you can lower your car insurance cost
  • Shop around. ...
  • Take advantage of discounts. ...
  • Don't pay for coverage you don't need. ...
  • Consider pay-per-mile insurance. ...
  • Increase your deductibles. ...
  • Improve your credit. ...
  • Review your policy before renewal.
Apr 12, 2024

What are the 3 factors that determine property insurance price? ›

20 factors that affect property insurance rates
  • Rebuild or replacement cost.
  • Home location.
  • Amount of coverage.
  • Size of homeowners insurance deductible.
  • Credit history.
  • Home age and condition.
  • Claims history.
  • Home materials.
Dec 8, 2023

What are three factors that might make your insurance premium higher or lower? ›

Plenty of factors go into determining car insurance costs. Some, like location, vehicle type and driving history, are fairly straightforward. Others, like credit history and marital status, may be a bit more surprising.

What are 3 ways to buy insurance? ›

Different ways to buy insurance
  • Insurance company or agent. Of course, you can buy a policy directly from an insurance company. ...
  • Insurance broker / advisor. Another option is to work with an independent insurance broker. ...
  • Bank or credit union.

What are 3 important tips on filing an auto insurance claim? ›

Important Tips
  • Read your policy. ...
  • If you don't understand your policy, ask your agent and/or company for clarification.
  • If you have an accident, call the police. ...
  • Get as much information as possible at the accident scene to furnish to your agent and/or insurance company.

What are the most important things to look for in car insurance? ›

What Type of Coverage do I Need or Want?
  • Liability Coverage. When operating a motor vehicle, liability coverage is probably the most important coverage you will need. ...
  • Comprehensive and Collision. ...
  • Medical coverage. ...
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. ...
  • Uninsured Motorist Property Damage. ...
  • Rental Reimbursem*nt.

Why is my auto insurance quote so high? ›

Why Is My Car Insurance So High? Your car insurance may be expensive because of your driving history, location, vehicle or credit history. Recent insurance claims and violations can increase your rates for three to five years. On the other hand, it's possible you also just have a more expensive car insurance company.

Does credit score affect car insurance? ›

On average, drivers with poor credit pay 118 percent more for full coverage car insurance than those with excellent credit. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates.

How to get Geico to lower your rate? ›

The following four tips could help you get cheaper car insurance:
  1. Install Safety and Security Devices.
  2. Dig for Discounts.
  3. Combine and Consolidate Policies.
  4. Opt for a Higher Deductible.

What are 4 factors that will affect the cost of your auto insurance? ›

Car insurance is calculated based on factors that indicate how likely a driver is to file a claim, including age, driving history, car type and mileage.

Is $100 a lot for car insurance? ›

Our cost estimates show that 35-year-old married drivers with good credit and clean driving records pay an average of $144 per month for car insurance. Paying around $100 per month for quality auto coverage is a good deal.

What are 4 factors that influence your auto insurance rates? ›

Factors That Affect Your Car Insurance Rates
  • Driving Record.
  • Credit History.
  • Coverage Selections.
  • Deductible Amount.
  • Car Insurance History.
  • Car Make and Model.
  • Age and Driving Experience.
  • ZIP Code.
Nov 7, 2023

What three factors affect the total price of a car? ›

Expert-Verified Answer. The three factors that affect the total price of a car are vehicle features and options, manufacturer and model, and market factors and additional costs. The total price of a car is influenced by various factors, but three key factors that have a significant impact are: 1.

What are 6 other factors that can affect the cost of auto insurance? ›

What determines your car insurance rates
  • Location.
  • Driving record.
  • Credit history.
  • Gender.
  • Age.
  • Marital status.
  • Claims history.
  • Car make and model.
Mar 14, 2024

What are 4 factors that can affect the cost of life insurance policies? ›

  • Age. The primary factor affecting the cost of life insurance premiums is the your age. ...
  • Gender. Gender is also a significant factor in the price of life insurance. ...
  • Smoking. Smoking puts you at a higher risk for many health problems. ...
  • Health. ...
  • Lifestyle. ...
  • Family Medical History. ...
  • Driving Record.

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