| Finding affordable auto insurance coverage is a | | | | Auto Insurance discounts are typically offered to |
| common objective for many drivers. Tough | | | | drivers who meet certain criteria, leading to a |
| economic times have only served to place a | | | | reduction in the overall premium. Examples of the |
| greater urgency on this need as consumers | | | | most common discounts are:o Safe Driver: drivers |
| struggle to find ways to save money. When | | | | can save up to 20% on rates when they meet |
| searching the internet and advertisements for low | | | | certain safety criteria, such as no accidents in a |
| auto insurance rates, consumers will often come | | | | given time period, no DUI's, and no more than one |
| across the term "discount auto insurance." | | | | violation point on their driving recordo Air Bags |
| But what exactly is Discount Auto Insurance? In | | | | and Automatic Seat Belts: expect a 30% rate |
| this article we'll define what it is, find out how to | | | | reduction from some insurers for having these |
| reduce insurance rates, point out some common | | | | safety featureso Anti-Theft Devices: lower rate |
| pitfalls to watch out for, and then look at the | | | | on Comprehensive coverage when vehicle is |
| most effective ways to shop for the best deals. | | | | equipped with low-jack, a GPS tracking system or |
| Discount Auto Insurance Explained | | | | security alarmo Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS): normally |
| We first need to distinguish the difference | | | | a rate reduction of 5% or more on Property |
| between discount auto insurance as the term is | | | | Damage and Bodily Injury policieso Driver |
| used to refer to: A. inexpensively priced product | | | | Education Classes: some insurers will give up to |
| offered by certain insurance companies - and B. | | | | 10% off certain coverage's for completion of a |
| auto insurance discounts, which all insurers typically | | | | state approved driver's education classo |
| offer to their customers in some form. | | | | Multi-policy: savings can be realized if you have |
| There are indeed many insurance companies that | | | | two or more vehicles insured with the company, |
| specialize in providing car insurance which is | | | | or have other insurance products with them (i.e., |
| frequently less expensive than that of many of | | | | Home, Life)o Good Student: many insurers will |
| the larger, well-known insurers. The term discount | | | | reward teenagers who maintain a B or higher |
| auto insurance, however, is not one you'll find | | | | grade point average with a lower premiumo Low |
| used within the insurance industry. Instead, it has | | | | Annual Mileage: lower rates for drivers who |
| simply emerged as a commonly used descriptor | | | | operate their cars less frequently |
| to refer to companies that consistently offer | | | | Tips to finding the Best Rate |
| inexpensive insurance products. So how do they | | | | Thankfully, we live in an age where the most |
| do it? Is there a trick? It should come as no | | | | effective, efficient method of price comparison |
| surprise when we tell you the answer is no, there | | | | shopping is right at our finger tips...the internet. |
| are no tricks. Low priced auto insurance providers | | | | Utilizing a few quality web sites to compare rates |
| simply include only the coverage that meets the | | | | is invaluable for finding low cost premiums. The |
| minimum legally required level for any particular | | | | trick is to use a site that compares rates from |
| state. The old adage that we get what we pay, in | | | | multiple carriers, not just their own. Additionally, |
| this case, certainly rings true. If you absolutely | | | | some rate comparison sites only compare rates |
| need to get the lower cost premium, expect to | | | | from only a select few companies, so be sure to |
| have less quality in some areas - as there may | | | | leverage several web sites in your shopping. |
| be features and/or services that you will have to | | | | Examples of sites that offer effective comparison |
| do without. For example, if customer service or | | | | rate shopping are: Progressive.com, |
| claim response times are poor this could offset | | | | onlineautoinsurance.com, and |
| the value of a lower premium. Be sure to check | | | | Most people know that raising your deductible and |
| sites such as in order to view customer service | | | | having a clean driving record both translate to |
| ratings for auto insurance companies. Additionally, | | | | lower premiums. Many people, however, do not |
| add-on's (such as towing service) typically cost | | | | realize that your credit record can have an effect |
| more from "discount" providers. You need to be | | | | on your premiums. Be proactive and monitor your |
| confident that a bare bones auto coverage policy | | | | credit report and address any derogatory credit |
| is sufficient for your needs. | | | | items by paying them current. |
| Auto Insurance Discounts | | | | |