| Hi Folks, my name is Cesar Diaz, I am an auto | | | | have been licensed is an important factor in |
| insurance broker in the state of California. I | | | | determining a rate. There longer you've had your |
| Operate two auto insurance agencies in California | | | | license, the cheaper your rate. If you have had a |
| and an auto insurance website serving all United | | | | license in another state, be sure to include that in |
| States. I have many years of experience as an | | | | your driving experience. Even if you were licensed |
| auto insurance agent and broker and through the | | | | in another country, it can be used to add to your |
| years, I have figured out all ways to save money | | | | driving experience although proof may be |
| on your auto insurance. | | | | required. |
| I have decided to share my secrets to saving | | | | 7. Tickets and Accidents- Of course tickets and |
| money on your auto insurance because I don't | | | | accidents affect your rate; however, tickets will |
| believe that it's fair for people to pay more | | | | not affect you until the violation is published on |
| money for their auto insurance just because they | | | | your driving record. Usually not until you go to |
| don't know that they're eligible for a certain | | | | traffic court or pay your violation. If you purchase |
| discount or maybe because they don't know a | | | | your insurance policy before you go to court or |
| certain discount even exists! | | | | pay your violation, it may not affect your rate |
| I hope I don't get in trouble for sharing all my | | | | until you renew your policy. (usually one year) As |
| secrets but I feel it's only fair. (Maybe not for | | | | far as accidents go, there are three ways to rate |
| insurance companies but for the general public.) | | | | an accident: At fault with injury, at fault with no |
| Insurance companies have enough money | | | | injury, and not at fault. They all produce different |
| anyway! I believe insurance companies are among | | | | rates in the order listed from highest to cheapest. |
| the wealthiest companies in the world. Why do | | | | If you were at fault, but there was less that |
| you think that is? Thats because they rake in | | | | $750.00 of damage, you may be able to list it as |
| those expensive premiums that you pay for your | | | | non-fault so be sure to let them know. |
| auto insurance. | | | | 10. Commute distance to work and annual |
| Well, here are my secrets revealed; You might | | | | mileage- There farther you drive to work, the |
| want to take some notes or even print this out | | | | more expensive your auto insurance may be. If |
| that way the next time you obtain an auto | | | | you carpool or use alternative methods of |
| insurance quote, you can reference this article and | | | | commuting to work such as a work vehicle or |
| make sure you get all your available discounts. | | | | you take a bus, be sure to inform your agent |
| First of all, most companies will ask for basic | | | | because this will help lower your rates. |
| information for the purpose of obtaining your auto | | | | 11. Occupation and vehicle use- Occupation will |
| insurance quote such as name, gender, date of | | | | affect your rate. Some occupations are even |
| birth, marital status, zip code, whether you have | | | | unacceptable by insurance companies. One such |
| current or prior auto insurance, how long have | | | | occupation is pizza delivery. Since most pizza |
| you been licensed (driving experience), driving | | | | delivery drivers are on a time restraint, insurance |
| record history (tickets and accidents), commute | | | | companies see it as a high risk occupation and will |
| distance to work and annual mileage, occupation | | | | decline coverage. Some occupations will be |
| and type of use (personal or commercial), make | | | | acceptable but may classify your vehicle use as |
| and model of vehicle, alarms and equipment on | | | | "commercial" or "artesian" use which will generate |
| vehicle, and coverage desired. | | | | a high premium. One example is a real estate |
| When people obtain auto insurance quotes, they | | | | agent. A real estate agent drives during work vs. |
| just answer the questions being asked by the | | | | a machine operator stays in one location during |
| representatives, but have no idea why the | | | | work and is less exposed to an accident. An |
| questions are being asked. What does being single | | | | example of artesian use is an electrician using his |
| or married have to do with getting an auto | | | | vehicle to drive to work locations. Again, the |
| insurance quote? Well, all questions being asked will | | | | electrician is using the vehicle during work and is |
| affect your rate. I am going to explain why all | | | | more exposed to an accident. If you fall under |
| those questions effect your rate and I am going | | | | the above categories but drive a company |
| to tell you what answers will give you the best | | | | vehicle, you may be exempt from the extra cost |
| rate. | | | | of falling into those categories. On the good side, |
| I am simply going to tell you what answers will | | | | some auto insurance companies may give |
| give you the best rates; however, I do not | | | | discounts for drivers with college degrees or if |
| suggest giving false information when obtaining a | | | | you are a student with a "B" or higher average |
| quote. It is important to give accurate answers | | | | you may qualify for a good student discount. |
| but at the same time, it is important to know | | | | 12. Make and Model of Vehicle- Some vehicle are |
| what answers will give you the best rates | | | | generally expensive to insure. One such vehicle is |
| because if you don't currently fall into the "low | | | | a Ford Mustang. Although it is fairly inexpensive to |
| rate" categories, you might in the future and since | | | | purchase, it can be expensive to insure due to its |
| you know, you will want to contact your | | | | "sports" performance. It is a good idea to quote a |
| insurance company to inform them of any | | | | vehicle for insurance before purchasing it as I |
| changes that will help you save money. | | | | have seen people have to return their vehicles |
| I am going to go step by step explaining each | | | | because after purchasing the vehicle, they couldn't |
| question asked by insurance agents and I will | | | | afford the auto insurance. Four door vehicle are |
| explain what answers give lowest rates. | | | | usually a bit cheaper to insure than two door |
| 1. Gender- Most insurance companies offer | | | | vehicles. Usually 4wd vehicle can be higher to |
| cheaper rates for females due to statistics. Less | | | | insure vs. 2wd vehicles. High end vehicles such as |
| accidents have resulted from females vs males. | | | | BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar of course can |
| Could it be because most of the time, if a couple | | | | be more expensive to insure than your average |
| is in a vehicle, the male will usually drive? Could it | | | | vehicle. Bottom line, quote the auto insurance |
| be because a housewife will not have the usual | | | | before buying the vehicle. |
| commute a husband would have driving back and | | | | 13. Alarms and Equipment- Auto insurance |
| forth to work every day? | | | | companies may offer discounts for vehicles with |
| 2. Date of Birth- Roughly, the early ages will | | | | low jack or alarm systems. If your vehicle has |
| generate a higher cost for insurance. Rates will | | | | one, be sure to let your agent know. Some |
| lower as a driver matures; however, rates | | | | companies will offer discounts for airbags and |
| increase again as a driver reaches the later years | | | | other safety features as well. |
| such as 60's and up. | | | | 14. Other- There are other discounts that you can |
| 3. Marital Status- Generally, a married driver will | | | | take advantage of. If you have more than one |
| have a cheaper rate than a single driver. This, | | | | vehicle, be sure to insure them all on one policy to |
| again, is due to statistics. Single drivers have a | | | | get your "multi-car" discount which can be 20% or |
| higher loss percentage. Could this be because a | | | | more. If you are a home owner, some insurance |
| married couple have drive less than a single, more | | | | companies can offer "home owner" discounts. If |
| active driver? Some insurance companies will allow | | | | you have taken a driver's safety course you may |
| you to receive the married rate if you live with | | | | be eligible for a discount as well. Also if you keep |
| your "significant other" under common law | | | | your vehicle parked in a locked garage over night, |
| marriage or they may give you the married rate | | | | be sure to ask if you can get a discount. |
| if you are a single parent. Be sure to ask if you | | | | 15. Online Auto Insurance- Many insurance |
| fall under any other the above categories. If you | | | | companies offer Online Auto Insurance which can |
| purchase your policy when you are single and get | | | | be less expensive than your traditional auto |
| married midterm, be sure to contact your | | | | insurance policy purchased in an office location. |
| insurance company to get your "married rate". | | | | This is because if you buy auto insurance online, |
| 4. Zip Code- Zip codes do affect your rates. This | | | | insurance companies have less overhead because |
| again is based on statistics of a particular city. | | | | the policy is "paperless" and all the savings will be |
| Some cities may be congested with traffic and | | | | transferred to you. Compare auto insurance |
| may have more accidents than others. Some | | | | quotes online. Some websites offer one simple |
| cities may have more theft than others, ect. In | | | | process for quotes from multiple well known auto |
| general, the more a city is congested, the higher | | | | insurance companies and you can even buy the |
| the rates are. | | | | policy online. One such website is There you can |
| 5. Current or Prior Insurance- Some insurance | | | | compare quotes from top carriers and buy auto |
| companies will give you a discount if you have | | | | insurance online if you like. Be sure to stop and |
| current insurance or have had an insurance policy | | | | get a quick quote and keep in mind the above 15 |
| recently cancel within the past 30 days. If you | | | | insider's secrets that I just revealed. Since I took |
| have had an insurance policy within the last 30 | | | | the time to write this detailed article, return the |
| days, be sure to inform your insurance agent | | | | favor by getting a quick quote from my website |
| because most agents will not ask you unless you | | | | listed above, actually I will be doing you another |
| tell them. | | | | favor by saving you tons of money on your auto |
| 6. Driving Experience- The length of time you | | | | insurance. |