6 Reasons to Shop Around for Car Insurance (Hint: It’s always a good time to get a better rate!)

November 23, 2007 By Debbie Dragon

Most everyone shops around before purchasing a new car; but almost no one takes the time to shop around when selecting their car insurance provider.  Shopping around- that is, comparing rates among several different car insurance companies, is the number one way you can save money on your car insurance premiums because the rates differ greatly among carriers.  It’s recommended that you “shop around” and compare rates from a few different auto insurance providers at least once or twice each year to make sure you are getting a good rate.

When You Move: Anytime you move to another location, whether in the same state or across the country- you should take time to compare prices among various companies because where you live plays a huge role in how much car insurance you pay.  Some companies that specialize in providing insurance coverage for particular areas are able to offer better rates than other companies and it could save you hundreds of dollars to check around.  Not to mention that not all insurance providers are licensed to provide coverage in all states.

When you Get Married: When you combine your insurance with your spouse, often you are able to save significantly on your car insurance premiums.

When You Have Children: Many insurance companies consider the addition of children into your family a reason to lower your risk pool and therefore provide you with lower rates.  Check with your current insurance company when you have a baby, and then compare the rates to a few others to make sure you’re paying a fair price.

When You Buy A New Car: The type of car you drive plays a large roll in the cost of insurance.  If you buy a new car, you definitely want to compare rates among several car insurance companies to make sure that you are getting the best premiums possible.  Also, choose cars that offer lower insurance premiums based on their safety ratings, vehicles less likely to be stolen and vehicles that are less likely to be involved in accidents as this will dramatically effect the rate of insurance you pay also.

When you Change Employment: The number of miles you drive to work or the amount of time you spend on the roads is a factor most insurance companies consider when calculating your insurance premium.  If you change jobs, start working from home, or retire- definitely check to be sure your car insurance reflects that change and compare the rates among various companies.  Certain professions also provide lower rates, including engineers, mathematicians, teachers or scientists as they are considered lower on the risk pool for insurance claims.

Whenever You Think Your Rates Are Too High!  The bottom line is there is never a bad time to shop around for car insurance.  If the discussion of car insurance rates comes up among friends and you feel you’re paying far more than everyone else, shop around! See what kind of deal their car insurance provider can give you if you switch.  You never know unless you take the time to compare prices.

Posted in autos, insurance

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