Rising insurance premiums are often a reality for everyone at some point in their life. But can anything be done to combat higher rates? At Insurance Online, we want everyone to be thrilled about their insurance plans, and are always looking to keep our customers as informed as possible. So, here’s some advice if you find yourself asking, “How can I keep Car insurance rates from going up?”
Keep Your Car in Good Shape
One of the best ways to keep your car insurance premiums from going up is to keep your car in tip-top shape. By maintaining your current car and making repairs to it as needed, you stand a much better chance of keeping your car insurance rates where they are. Why? When you buy a new vehicle, most insurance companies will use it as an opportunity to increase your insurance rates. This is because the new car is most likely more valuable than the old one, and as a result, much more expensive to repair or replace in the event of an accident. So next time your car breaks down, fix it instead of replacing it – it’s much less costly in the long run.
Avoid Accidents
This is a no-brainer, but avoiding accidents is the best way to keep your car insurance premiums down. The reason why car insurance rates are generally affordable is that the cost of an accident is a risk which insurance agencies spread across their entire clientele. If you become someone who is more likely to be involved in an accident, the insurer may become concerned about the risks of offering you coverage. After all, car accidents often cost insurers far more than just repairs. Often, there are medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with automotive accidents. So, avoid accidents – and tickets – at all costs.
Don’t Drive Drunk!
Another no-brainer. Driving drunk is never a good idea. If you are arrested for a DUI or a DWI, the chances are pretty high that your insurance rates will skyrocket. Car insurance companies see drunk drivers as the absolute highest riss for them. As a result of this, they charge extremely high premiums for those with DUIs – if they’ll even insure them. It’s not uncommon for auto insurers to drop those who are convicted of a drunk driving offense.
Raise Your Deductibles
If you think your insurance rates may increase, one last-ditch option you can take to try and lower your premiums is to increase your deductibles. If you are in an accident, which results in $5000 in damages, but you have a $500 deductible, you are only out of pocket $500 for the crash. By raising your deductible limit to $1000, you may be able to reduce your insurance rates, as you have accepted more responsibility in the event of another crash. This advice, however, is dependent upon you being able to afford the increased deductible payment.
Keep an Eye Out for Discounts
One of the best ways to keep your insurance premiums down is to keep an eye out for discounts and lower rates. That’s where we come in!
At Insurance Online, customers can compare hundreds of quotes – and not just from the big providers – at any time 24/7. We’re more than just an insurance company. Our agents live and work in the same communities as you so you can be assured you’ll get the right policy from an agent that understands your needs. So, when life happens, Insurance Online is just a click away. Call us today at (800) 956-9611 to speak to an agent about auto insurance so you won’t have to worry about anything but enjoying the drive!