Car insurance. It’s not exactly something one looks forward to purchasing. It’s kind of like going to the dentist. You know you have to do it, but that doesn’t mean you like doing it. All of us are painfully aware that we are required by law to carry auto insurance on all the vehicles we drive. However, while auto insurance is a necessary expense, that doesn’t mean that it has to be expensive.

Let’s look at it this way – the less money we spend on auto insurance, the more cash we have available to buy things that we actually like. And we’re not talking about minor savings here. If you follow the strategies and tips listed below, you could end up saving hundreds of dollars a year. Who couldn’t use an extra couple hundred dollars? Especially during these tough times? So let’s explore ways in which you can find the cheapest car insurance possible.

What The Car Insurance Company Will Ask You

First, we should establish what information the car insurance company is going to want from you. Now this list is not all-inclusive, but it should give you a good idea of what they will be looking for:

·                            Make and model of the car(s) you want to have insured.

·                            Number of miles you drive annually.

·                           Number of people who will be driving the insured vehicle.

·                          Sex and ages of people who will be driving the vehicle.

·                          Driving records of people driving the vehicle.

·                          Where you live.

Looking at this list, there are obviously some things that you will not be able to change in order to save money on car insurance. For example, most likely you aren’t going to move from a city (where you can expect to have higher insurance rates) to a rural area just to get cheap car insurance. And chances are good that you won’t want to have a sex change operation in order to save money on car insurance (at least, we hope not). However, there are things that you can do that will positively impact the potential cost of your auto insurance premiums.

Drive the “Right” Kind of Vehicle

There is a reason why the auto insurance companies need to know the make and model of your vehicle. Simply, some vehicles cost more to insure than others. Perhaps the most obvious factor would be the sticker price. The more a car costs to fix or replace, then the more expensive it will be to insure. But there are other factors that go into determining how expensive a vehicle will be to insure. For instance, the number of safety features a car comes equipped with matters (the more the better). Also, if a vehicle has a security system installed this can help reduce insurance costs. Lastly, each vehicle has its own type of “record.” By this we mean that insurance companies track how frequently a particular model is stolen and involved in accidents. History matters to auto insurance companies. It helps them to determine the risks involved. If a particular model is frequently targeted by thieves and/or has a poor safety record, it will cost more to insure.

So, what exactly is the “right” vehicle to insure? Basically, it’s an inexpensive car that comes equipped with the latest safety features and security systems, and one that has proven safety record.  You might have to do some quick research in order to determine what this perfect vehicle is, but it will be worth it, trust us. A little time spent finding the cheapest car to insure will lead to a heavier wallet.

Drive Less

What’s the reasoning behind auto insurance companies wanting to know how many miles you drive? Why is this important? Well, again it has to do with the amount of risk involved. Insurance is all about risk. The more time you spend on the road, the more chance you have of getting into an accident. Thus, if you can reduce the amount of miles you drive, you can reduce your insurance costs as well. There are numerous ways to accomplish this. Combine errands into one trip, car pool, use public transportation, bike or walk more, etc. We are sure you can think of creative ways to reduce your annual mileage. Besides reducing your car insurance premiums, you will save some cash at the gas pump and can see positive benefits for your overall health.

Maintain a Clean Driving Record

This is another instance where history matters to an auto insurance company. Your driving record is an extremely important factor that helps shape your auto insurance costs. The good news is that it’s completely under your control. You alone are responsible for your driving record. So how can you keep it spotless? Obey any and all traffic laws. It sounds easy, but is it really? How often are we running late and tempted to drive over the speed limit? You must resist this temptation if you are to get the cheapest car insurance possible. Avoid getting traffic tickets and you will see dramatic savings on your car insurance. One traffic violation can cause your premium to increase over fifty percent. Fifty percent! Think of this next time your foot feels heavy and you have the urge to get your destination faster. Slow down, save money. It’s really that simple.

Comparison Shop

Before purchasing a policy with a particular auto insurance company, you need to explore all the options that are available to you. You may be able to find the same coverage you currently enjoy (or need to find) with another car insurance company for a much lower rate. But in order to discover this, you have to shop around. The good news is that this doesn’t need to be time consuming. Consumers can utilize a tool that has been recently developed – the online quote form. With this quote form, a person can literally get quotes from several different auto insurance companies within minutes. It’s easy to use, it’s free, and it allows you to quickly determine what auto insurance company will offer you the best rates. You can find an online car insurance quote here at Cheap Quotes Car Insurance. Fill it out and start to save! Start by entering your zip code in the box below.

Other Things to Consider

In addition to the tips listed above, here’s a list way of other ways you can save:

·           Drop coverages you don’t need

·           Raise your deductible

·           Get a copy of your credit report (auto insurance companies look at this) – and clean up any inaccuracies.

·           Consider having all the insurance you require (home, life, health) with one insurance company.

·           Explore the discounts (such as the “Good Driver” or “Multi-Car”) that you might qualify for.

Money is tight these days. Every dollar counts. Fortunately, car insurance is one part of your budget where you can see some significant savings. And importantly, you don’t need to sacrifice quality of coverage in order to earn these savings. Above all else, don’t be complacent. If you are proactive and seek out ways to cut back on car insurance costs, you will free up extra cash and have good coverage.