One of the best ways to keep your auto insurance costs down is to have a good driving record.
As you probably already know, Connecticut ranks as one of the highest auto insurance premiums in the country. Go us! We’re sitting at the 13th spot in a study conducted by Insure.com on the most expensive states for auto insurance in 2020. According to the study, the state has an average yearly premium of $1,688.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these costs. In this article we’ll cover 11 actionable ways to help you reduce your auto insurance premiums in Connecticut.
1. Have a Clean Driving Record
It goes without saying that a clean driving record will give you a better insurance plan. With DUI’s, car accidents and other traffic violations on your record, you get higher points. The higher the points, the more risk there is for the insurance policy provider. This means that you will have to pay more on an annual or a monthly basis. With higher premiums, you won’t have a lot of options and your bad car credits will not give you a lot of legroom here.
However, this doesn’t mean that new drivers, with a brand new track record, are good candidates.
New drivers are considered high risk and might also face difficulties with their clean track records. The good news here is that insurance plans for experienced drivers with a clean driving record are more likely to be favorable. They can have lower premiums and offer coverage benefits.
2. Taking an Approved Course
If you’re finding it difficult to get lower premiums on your car insurance plan, take a look at their list of the approved car driving courses and programs. Drivers with higher points can also lower their point by taking accident prevention courses or other driving programs that are approved by their insurance provider. In most cases, you can also get a discount on your insurance plan premium.
Before you start taking the course, always make sure that your insurance plan provider is aware of this fact. This is necessary to make sure that your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Always make sure that you are being properly accredited for taking a course. However, be aware that not all insurance plan providers offer this incentive. Again, you will have to take your time to find the right options.
3. Shop for the Best Options
Always take the time to shop for the best car insurance policy with the lowest premiums that can match your budget. Don’t just limit this to new policies. If your current policy needs to be renewed and your annual premiums have increased, you should get quotes from other insurance companies. There can be plenty of affordable options for car insurance. On the other hand, be careful not to get too focused on low premiums only. We also strongly encourage using an independent insurance agent 😉
Lower cost doesn’t always translate into a better coverage plan. Some low premium plans are missing key benefits that your current, high premium car insurance plan is offering. Also be careful to check the creditworthiness or the financial health of the insurance company you are planning to work with. Both these factors make a huge impact when you need the company to pay up. Make sure that the new contract you get offers you maximum coverage, lower premiums and comes from a financially sound company. It might seem like a challenge but it is possible to find such a car insurance plan.
4. Take Your Car Usage into Account
Many car insurance plans focus on the overall usage that the car gets. This means that the mileage of your car will make a marked difference here. Usually, car insurance providers have a limit to the number of miles they offer coverage for. If your usage is less than the limit, you can get a considerable discount on the insurance plan. To do this, it is a good idea to limit the usage of your car as much as possible.
If your work commute means that you need to drive your car for three hours per day, your usage will be exceptionally high. This means that the premium on your car insurance policy will also be very high. In contrast, if your work commute means that you are using up an average of 1 mile per day, you will have a lower premium on your insurance plan. One way that you can bring your usage down is by focusing on making use of public transit. However, find out how low the mileage must be to qualify for lower premiums. Different companies can have different requirements so be sure to ask about different options.
5. Pick a Sensible Car
When you’re getting a car on an insurance plan, it is always a good idea to pay attention to the make and type of car. Some cars can actually increase your premium price, even if you already have an insurance plan in place. Sports cars and other flashy cars can have very expensive insurance plans and premiums because they are high risk. These cars are more likely to be stolen, have an accident, be vandalized and more. Even an SUV can be expensive, particularly if you’re picking a top-of-the-line option.
On the other hand, picking a sensible car, with a smaller engine, less petrol consumption and better output can end up giving you a discount. In fact, some car insurance companies offer discounts for hybrid cars or vehicles that run on alternative fuel sources. Even if you’re not getting a hybrid car, do a comparison of car insurance plans based on the model and make of the cars. Your heart might be set on a flashy car but it is always a good idea to be sensible about it.
6. Your Profession Could be a Barrier
7. Improve Your Credit Score
8. Including Additional Drivers
Most parents take the responsibility of adding their teens to their car insurance plans. However, be very careful about this. While plans can offer coverage to other named drivers, having a young, inexperienced driver will increase the premiums you have to pay per month and year too. The younger the person is, the higher the risk and the insurance premiums will be.
If they don’t drive or use the car much, it’s a better idea to keep them on your plan for temporary coverage instead of permanent. Luckily, if you’re thinking of adding your spouse or a significant other on the plan, you will have a better chance of reducing the premiums. This only happens if they experienced and have a good driving record. If they’re experienced and have a bad driving record, your premium will skyrocket again.
9. Adding Anti-Theft Devices to Your Car
10. The Savings in Your Locality
The locality such as the street, area and state that you live in can make a significant impact on the car insurance premium of your plan. Certain localities can have insurance that is very affordable and lower whereas areas like New York and Los Angeles can have expensive insurance plans. The risk that a car face is in these localities is also higher so it makes sense that the premium will be high.
However, it is not always possible for one to move to another state just to get a better premium on their plan. This is only feasible if you are moving. However, in the current location, you can bring down premiums by paying attention to your driving and parking habits. Car policy providers are usually happier when car owners are using garages for their cars. Parking in the street and leaving the car a block or so away increases the risk which again, increases the premiums that you have to pay.
By paying attention to these 11 tips, you can easily cut down your car insurance costs. Based on your credit score and active measures, you can bring down your premiums to a more affordable rate.
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