Penny Pincher Insurance for your Jeep YJ
If comparing car insurance was easy, most of us would do it more often. But in reality, the cost for insurance always seems too high and most people would prefer to get a root canal. Finding affordable insurance for your Jeep YJ is probably the same story.
Step One: Compare Multiple Rates
If you haven't priced insurance for awhile, you may still think that the only way to compare rates is to drive around town to multiple insurance offices and meet with an agent. Times have changed!
Almost every car insurance company now offers online quotes, and you can actually get insurance quotes for a Jeep YJ without even visiting their websites!
Start a free rate quote comparison now by clicking the link below. Once you complete the short form, you'll be able to compare rates and then move on to our next section on how to lower rates even further.
Use the Same Coverages! It's really important that when doing multiple quotes for your YJ that you use identical coverages for liability, comprehensive and collision. If you use different values, it's impossible to determine which company has the lower rates.
Step Two: Top Ways to Get Lower YJ Insurance
After completing step one above, you can now learn some of the other ways to slash your YJ insurance costs.
- Membership has it's privleges. If you're a member of a professional organization, check to see if your company offers discounts to its members. It can add up to 5% or more.
- Consider using higher deductibles for physical damage coverages like comprehensive and collision. Higher deductibles save money since you're willing to pay more out-of-pocket at claim time.
- Drivers often have a false sense of safety when driving an SUV, and this results in more accidents in adverse weather conditions. Unfortunately every SUV owner pays higher insurance rates because of this.
- Every parent dreads the day when their teenager gets added to their policy. If you are a teenager, or if you have one on your policy, expect to pay significantly more each year.
- One of the easiest ways to keep your rates down is to drive safe. One speeding ticket can boost your rates for three years.
- Most Jeep vehicles come with standard safety features such as air bags and passive restraints, and those will help keep your insurance costs down.
- Filing small claims will get you into hot water with your insurance company. Frequent filers will often find themselves either paying higher rates or non-renewed at renewal time.
- If your YJ ranks on the list of vehicles that are frequently stolen, that can result in a higher rating class and a more expensive rate.
- One of the best ways to lower your insurance rates is to raise your credit score. Check your rating once a year and make sure to address any problem areas immediately.
- Consider taking a defensive driving course. You can often make up the cost of the course in as little as a single policy renewal.
- If switching companies, always have the effective date of the new policy be identical to the expiration date on the old policy. This prevents a lapse in coverage and companies charge higher rates if you have any lapses.
- Renters will find they may be paying more for insurance as compared to homeowners. Owning a home can often get you a small discount on your car insurance.
Step Three: Finalize your Car Insurance Policy
Buying a new car insurance policy is just a matter of finalizing your application form and submitting it with your down payment. Once payment has been accepted, coverage is bound the effective date shown on your application.
An important thing to keep in mind when buying a new policy is you want the effective date of the new policy to be the exact same as the date you are cancelling your old policy.
If this is a new policy with only the Jeep on it, be sure to have coverage before leaving the dealership or car lot. If you're adding it to an existing policy, you have anywhere from 15 to 30 days depending on the company. Most car insurance companies will extend coverage to newly purchased vehicles, but only up to the limits of the best insured vehicle. So if you only carry liability insurance and no physical damage coverage, your new purchase will be inadequately insured until you specifically add it to the policy with full coverage.
Your insurance company will provide you with proof-of-insurance forms to keep in your vehicle. It's required by state law to carry at least the state minimum liability limits. If you qualilfy as a high-risk driver after being convicted of a DUI, reckless driving or driving on a suspended license, you may be required to file an SR-22 with your state's DMV. Be sure your new car insurance company is aware of this filing requirement.
Additional Learning Resources
The Insurance Information Institute website has a great library of car insurance topics that cover claims, replacement parts, rental cars and more.
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