In the event that something happens to your family’s financial situation, less expensive car insurance may become necessary. Finding a cut-rate insurance policy can be easy but that may not be the best way to go.
When it comes to getting a low rate from a dependable insurer you would be better suited to find out what type of coverage you are required to have, research insurance company reputations and use every possible discount for which you are eligible. Another option is a pay-as-you-drive policy with premiums based on miles driven each year.
You are your best advocate when buying a lower priced miami auto insurance policy but that can be a hard role to play. Don’t pick an insurance company just because it’s the only one you’ve heard of or their commercials make them more appealing. To help you reach the goal of more affordable car insurance you can use the steps below.
1. The Car Matters
The year, make and model of your vehicle can affect the price of an auto policy. The newer a car is or the higher its price tag is, the higher your auto insurance premium may be. If you already own a higher priced car, if possible, you may be able to switch it out for a lower priced car.
2. Insurance Limits
Many states have minimums on what insureds must have for the bodily injury and property damage portion of their auto policy. On top of that your lender, if you take out a loan when buying a new or used car, may have requirements you will need to meet when purchasing insurance for that vehicle. Until the loan is paid off, the lender could be considered a partial owner and may want to ensure it’s properly covered so that they can still get their money should something happen to the vehicle.
3. Opt for the Highest Deductible
This may feel like a risky move but higher premiums are rewarded with a lessening of the premium. But, should you always be sure to drive carefully and do what is humanly possible to avoid being the cause of an accident, the risk may pay off.
4. Know Your Credit Score
In some states it is allowable for an insurance company to use your credit history to create an insurance credit score which is taken into account when determining the premium. It is unfortunate but a lower credit score works against you as it can cause you to pay more for your auto policy. It would be a good idea to try to fix that by paying bills on time, monitoring your credit report and resolving any past issues that may be keeping your credit down.
5. Get Multiple Quotes
Have your miami insurance agent create quotes from as many insurance companies as possible. This will give you the ability to see what your options are with each company but you can take it one step further and experiment with the quotes to see what will affect the premium and how. If desired, you can also look into the reputations of the different companies to see which ones are trustworthy, are there any complaints against them, what is their A.M. Best rating, etc.
6. Go After the Discounts
Insurance companies may not offer all of the same discounts but if you feel you have chosen which one you prefer, find out which discounts they have available for their customers. Just to name a few, an insured could get a discount that helps lower their rate for being retired, having a shorter commute to work, having technology like LoJack installed in the car, or being a student with good grades. It may also be possible to get a discount by being part of some professional organizations and, if you’re over the age of 55, you might be able to get your premium lowered some by taking a defensive driving course.
7. Opt out of Some Coverage
If your car is old enough you could discuss with your agent the possibility of excluding comprehensive and collision coverage. It is not impossible to end up paying more for insurance than your car is worth. But make sure to keep the liability coverage. In many states it is not legal to drive without it.
8. Review Your Insurance Needs and Premium
It is possible to get an auto policy for a full year but the majority of them are set to be in force for 6 months at a time. Since needs can change from year to year it would be a good idea to go over your policy with your agent at least once per year to make sure that everything in your policy fits your needs. You could even get updated on the discounts to see if there are any new ones or if you are eligible for any that you weren’t eligible for before.
Everybody would like it better if insurance were easy but with the multitude of cars to choose from, multiple insurance companies, credit and driving history, multiple discounts, etc. it may feel like navigating a maze of options. But that is where we come in. We are here to get you the quotes, answer your questions and turn the quote into a policy. For any help acquiring a car insurance policy, whether it’s your first or one in a long line of policies, feel free to give us a call at 305-270-2100.
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At Filer Insurance, Inc., we have been serving Miami and South Florida since 1919. We specialize in miami car insurance as well as miami home insurance, miami life insurance and miami business insurance. Please give us call, visit our website or come by our office for a free car insurance quote.
