If you own a car or simply drive one on the regular — even if you feel you drive safely, you need car insurance. In fact, most states require you to have at least a minimum amount of liability coverage, and if you’ve financed your vehicle, your lender likely required full coverage.
The average car insurance cost in the U.S. is $1,004.68, according to the Insurance Information Institute. But the actual cost for each driver can vary based on a long list of factors, and if you can’t afford your car insurance payment, you may be looking to lower coverage or even cancel your current insurance coverage.
Before you go down the path of cutting corners, you should visit a multi-lender marketplace like Credible to compare auto insurance companies. Credible’s free financial tools will help you save on car insurance by allowing you to compare rates or other fees. Start checking out what else is out there today.
If you still need help determining whether to switch your insurance coverage to lower your car insurance costs, here’s an insurance plan that could potentially save you money without requiring you to skimp on coverage.
How to save on car insurance
The best way to lower your car insurance costs is to shop around for better coverage. This may sound like an obvious solution, but the fact is many drivers don’t take the time to research car insurance rates or look for insurance discounts and deals that could save considerable cash in the long run.
No auto insurance company has a corner on the market when it comes to pricing. In fact, rates can vary wildly by the state — the average cost to insure a car in Louisiana is $1,443.72 compared to just $762.59 in Vermont. As a result, shopping around could allow you to retain the coverage you need to protect your vehicle while also saving money.
When considering a different car insurance provider, there are at least four considerations:
It’s a good idea to compare at least three to five different insurers to maximize your savings. This process can be rather time-consuming if you request a quote from each insurer individually, so consider using an online marketplace like Credible to explore pricing and compare quotes from multiple insurance companies in one place.
4 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SAVE MONEY WITHIN JUST MINUTES
While shopping around can make it possible for you to save money on your car insurance policy, it’s possible that you already have the best rate available. (Just remember: Don’t rule out shopping around again in the future. There’s no guarantee you’ll find a better rate. But using an online marketplace like Credible can improve your chances).
If this happens, the last thing you want to do is cancel car insurance. If you have a lapse in your coverage, it could make it more challenging to get car insurance in the future. Even if you do get approved, you may end up with a higher rate. Even if you’re getting rid of your car, consider a non-owner insurance policy.
Overall, you should consider how you can find a balance between your current budgetary restraints and your financial ability to pay for a claim out of pocket.
Start with optional coverages like roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement. While these are nice to have, they’re not required, and you have a better chance of getting by without them than other forms of coverage.
Whatever you do, try to avoid cutting your liability coverage. If you cause an accident and your policy doesn’t cover the full claim amount, you may end up getting sued for the remaining amount. You can’t cut coverage levels for collision and comprehensive protection, but you can increase your deductibles — again, make sure you can afford the higher deductibles before you commit.
HOW TO SAVE ON MONTHLY PAYMENTS DURING CORONAVIRUS
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