Expensive car insurance can overdraw your savings account and force you to make sacrifices. Shopping your coverage around is a great way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket. Consumers have many insurance companies to buy insurance from, and although it’s nice to have a choice, it makes it harder to get the best deal.
It’s a good habit to check car insurance prices periodically because insurance rates trend upward over time. If you had the lowest price for 528xi coverage a year ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because we’re going to demonstrate how to use the internet to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.
Don’t miss these discounts
Car insurance companies don’t list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
- Distant Student – Any of your kids living away from home attending college without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
- Good Students Pay Less – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
- Anti-lock Brakes – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
- Anti-theft System – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Drivers should understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky.
Where Can I Get Cheap Car Insurance?
Finding a lower price on insurance is actually quite simple. Consumers just need to spend a few minutes to compare quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- One of the simplest ways consumers can analyze rates is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for boring form submissions for every car insurance company. Taking the time to complete one form will get you rate comparisons from all major companies.
- A more time consuming way to compare prices requires you to visit each company website to request a price quote. For instance, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from USAA, Farmers and Travelers. To find out each rate you need to visit each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular.
To view a list of companies in your area, click here.
- The most time-consuming method to get comparison rates is to drive around to insurance agents’ offices. Shopping for car insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional advice of a local agent. However, consumers can get prices online and still use a local agent.
It’s up to you which method you use, but make absolute certain that you use identical deductibles and coverage limits for every quote you compare. If the quotes have different liability limits then you won’t be able to decipher which rate is best.
Affordable insurance is out there
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, drivers have reduced full coverage only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
Discount BMW 528xi insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
