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There are many different types of car insurance in existence today - from general liability to collision to comprehensive and beyond - the simple fact is that drivers are required by law to maintain some level of coverage. However, it can also be an expensive endeavor, especially in a time where other automotive expenses are rising exponentially. So how can individuals afford to maintain auto insurance coverage in this day and age? Here are some tips that might help lower your car insurance bill.
Most insurance companies themselves offer a plethora of different discount options. Obviously, good drivers - those who have been accident and/or incident free for a set period of time - will be rewarded with reduced rates. Women, historically recognized as more conscientious drivers, normally pay less per term than their male counterparts. Age can also be a factor, as teenagers and young adult drivers are considered to be a higher risk and thus tend to be charged more than people in their twenties and thirties. Likewise, people in their early to mid fifties usually receive discounts because of their experience on the road and their tendency to drive defensively.
True, each of those points may not exactly be a secret, but there are some lesser discounts to be had. Teenagers who maintain a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) in school are often rewarded with reduced insurance bills, as are those who take driver's education courses in accident prevention. The overlying theory is that an intelligent, educated driver will also be a safe, cautious driver. If a household has multiple cars and/or drivers, it tends to pay to keep everyone insured by the same agent or company. Insurance agencies reward families who contribute additional business to the company. A driver can also benefit by choosing the right automobile and equipping it with anti-theft devices. A car with airbags, alarms, anti-lock brakes, wheel locks, and similar safety features send a message to the insurance company that you are serious about safety.
Cost has become such an issue in insurance that there are now special companies whose goal it is to provide inexpensive coverage. One such company is the Safe Auto Insurance Company, which was established in Ohio in 1993 and has since expanded into eleven other states: Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Arizona, and Oklahoma. According to the company's website, Safe Auto is "a direct-to-consumer auto insurance company... [meaning that] we don't rely on a middleman to sell Safe Auto coverage. Instead, we appeal directly to you, our customer, through television, radio and print advertising. And that saves you money." The other way that Safe Auto saves its customers money is by offering customers just enough insurance coverage to meet legal requirements. A unique approach, to be sure, and not for everyone. For those whose major concern is saving money and staying insured for as little money as possible, however, it may be just the sort of thing they need.