Auto Insurance 101: What You Should Know Before Buying a Car

Understanding the Different Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

When buying a new vehicle, auto insurance is required by law, but the options can be confusing.

Here’s an overview of the main types of coverage so you can choose what’s right for your needs.

1. Liability Coverage

Liability coverage protects you financially in case you’re at fault in an accident. It covers the other driver’s vehicle and medical costs. Most states require minimum liability limits, but higher limits are recommended to protect your assets.

2. Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for repairs to your own vehicle after an accident. It’s a good idea if your car is newer or has a loan against it. The deductible, or amount you pay out of pocket, can range from $250 to $2,500. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium.

3. Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage protects against non-collision damage like theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. Again, choose a deductible amount you can afford. Comprehensive may be waived if your car is older.

4. Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage

Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has little or no insurance. It covers your medical bills and vehicle damage.

5. Medical Coverage

Medical payments or personal injury protection helps pay medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident, regardless of fault. Some states require a minimum amount.

Other options include roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, and new car replacement coverage. Talk to your insurer about bundling multiple policies for the best rates.

How Insurance Companies Calculate Your Premiums

Insurance companies consider several factors ranging from:

1. Your driving record.

Companies want to insure safe drivers, so your history of accidents, traffic violations, or lack thereof significantly impacts your rates. A clean record will lower your premiums. Multiple at-fault accidents or serious violations will raise them.

2. The type of car you drive.

Sports cars, high-performance vehicles, and luxury models typically cost more to insure since they’re more expensive to repair or replace. Safer, more modest vehicles usually qualify for lower premiums.

3. How much you drive.

If you only drive occasionally, you may pay less than someone who commutes 50 miles a day. Companies often ask for your estimated annual mileage and may check your odometer readings to verify it.

4. Where you live.

Premiums vary in different areas based on local costs of living, crime rates, and accident statistics. Rural and suburban areas typically have lower premiums than urban areas.

5. Your coverage limits.

The more coverage you buy (higher liability limits, comprehensive and collision, uninsured motorist, etc.), the higher your premiums will be. Only buy as much coverage as you truly need.

By understanding these key factors, you can make choices that will qualify you for the most affordable premiums, like driving safely, choosing a modest vehicle, limiting your mileage, and not buying more coverage than necessary.

Ways to Get the Best Rate on Your Auto Insurance Policy

To get the best rate on your auto insurance policy, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Obtain prices from multiple companies.

Choose not to work with the first insurance provider you come across. Verify that you are receiving the best deal by comparing prices from at least three to four different businesses. State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, and Geico are a few of the well-known insurers. Look into independent broker websites where you can compare prices from multiple firms at once, such as NerdWallet, The Zebra, or CarInsurance.com.

2. Adjust your coverage

Only pay for the coverage you need. If your vehicle is older, you may want to drop collision and comprehensive coverage to lower your premium. Increase your deductibles for a lower rate. A higher deductible means lower premiums but more out of pocket costs if you file a claim. Make sure to choose deductibles you can afford.

3. Search for bargains

Many discounts are provided by insurance providers to assist you get a lower cost. Inquire about savings for being a good student, careful driver, anti-theft device, multi-policy, and bundling. You can save up to 10% on your premiums by combining your auto insurance with your property or life insurance.

4. Improve your credit grade

Insurance companies in the majority of states take your credit score into account when calculating your rate. Lower rate corresponds to higher score. To raise your credit score, look for mistakes in your credit report and pay off high-balance credit cards.

5. Put into consideration insurance based on usage

Usage-based or tracking insurance uses a mobile app or gadget that is attached into the vehicle to track your real driving patterns. Enrollment savings for safe drivers can reach 30%, and depending on their driving score over time, they can earn even larger reductions. Use-based insurance programmes are provided by well-known insurers such as Progressive, Allstate, and State Farm.

What Factors Can Cause Your Rates to Go Up or Down

Insurance rates are calculated based on several factors, including:

1. Your location

Where you live can significantly impact your premium. Rates tend to be higher in areas with more traffic and accidents. If you’re moving to a new state, check how auto insurance rates compare between your current and future locations.

2. Your coverage amounts

The more coverage you choose – especially for liability and comprehensive coverage – the higher your premium is likely to be. Make sure you get enough coverage to properly protect yourself financially in case of an accident, but don’t pay for more coverage than you actually need.

3. Your driving record

Your driving history is one of the biggest factors in calculating your auto insurance rate. A clean record with no accidents or traffic violations will qualify you for the lowest rates. Recent at-fault accidents, speeding tickets, DUIs or other violations will cause your rates to increase.

4. Your vehicle

The make, model, and year of your vehicle also determine your auto insurance rate. Insurance for luxury vehicles, sports cars and hybrids usually costs more. Newer, more expensive vehicles also tend to have higher premiums since they cost more to repair or replace.

5. Your age, gender and marital status

In general, auto insurance rates tend to be higher for younger drivers, especially teens and those under 25. Rates for males also tend to be higher than for females. Married individuals often receive lower rates than single policyholders.

Keeping these factors in mind as you shop for auto insurance can help you find the most affordable policy for your needs and budget. Ask each company you’re considering how they calculate rates to determine which is likely to offer you the best deal.

Top Tips for Saving Money on Your Car Insurance

When buying car insurance for the first time, there are a few tips that can help you save money. Insurance companies consider many factors when determining your premiums, but there are things you can do to lower costs.

1. Compare quotes from multiple companies

Shop around at different insurance providers to compare rates. Prices can vary significantly between companies for the exact same coverage. Check independent broker websites that allow you to enter your information once and receive quotes from many insurers.

2. Raise your deductibles

The higher your deductibles, the lower your premiums will be. If you can afford to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, raising your deductibles on both comprehensive and collision coverage can lower your monthly bill. Just make sure the deductibles are still at an amount you can comfortably afford.

3. Drop unnecessary coverage

If your vehicle is older, you may want to consider dropping comprehensive and collision coverage altogether. The premiums may cost more than the actual cash value of your vehicle. Also, drop coverage like roadside assistance or rental car reimbursement if you don’t need them.

4. Take advantage of discounts

Ask your insurance agent about discounts you may be eligible for, like bundling with home insurance or other policies, safe driver discounts if you have a clean driving record, student discounts if you have a teen driver on your policy with good grades, etc. Every dollar in discounts helps lower your premium.

5. Increase your credit score

In most states, insurance companies consider your credit score when determining premiums. A higher score can mean lower rates. Pay bills on time, reduce debt, and limit new applications for credit to help boost your score.

Conclusion

Using these tips and doing your homework can help you get the best coverage at the lowest price for your needs. Remember, a little legwork upfront can pay off over the lifetime of your policy.