Car insurance premiums can be one of the most expensive parts of being a car owner. Auto insurance is required throughout most of the US, and Texas is no exception. In the event of an accident you cause, Texas law requires you to be able to pay for all of the damages incurred. For most Texans, taking out insurance is a simple and hassle-free way to ensure they meet this legal responsibility.
It is important not to prioritize cost over quality when
it comes to auto insurance. The best car insurance can protect you in a wide
range of scenarios and can provide you with invaluable aid if you get injured
in an accident yourself. Still, it makes good financial sense to do what you
can to bring down premiums when possible.
Buy The Right Vehicle
Some cars are cheaper to insure than others, so if
you’re due an upgrade for your vehicle, consider looking at options that will
cut back on your premiums. You can find plenty of lists online of the cars that
are cheapest to insure, or you could check the quotes you get from price
comparison sites to see the benefits yourself. Things that impact a
car’s insurance costs include the cost of the car, how
expensive it is to repair, and its safety record.
Avoid Unnecessary Driving
The more you drive, the higher your insurance premiums
will be. This is because the more time you spend on the roads, the higher the
likelihood of you experiencing an accident. While cutting back may not be
possible for many Texans, those based in major urban or suburban areas could
cut back on driving and take public transport instead. You could also try
walking or cycling more often and add a little health bonus to the money
saved.
Make Use Of Multi-Car Discounts
If you have multiple cars that need to be insured at
once, you could benefit from a multi-car discount from your insurer. This is
essentially bulk buying in insurance, and many providers offer it as a way to
entice larger families or people with multiple cars to their business. Check
out the quotes you get for insuring one car against insuring two or three to
see what kind of savings you could make.
Join The AARP
Some insurance providers offer discounts to members of
certain groups. One great example of this for Texans is The Hartford, which
provides car
insurance Austin TX at a 10% discount for AARP
members. Not only do The Hartford provide excellent value for money, but their
AARP insurance has a range of benefits in coverage that could benefit any
driver over 50.
Shop Around For The Right Provider
Shopping around should be a staple for any smart
financial choices you make. Many insurers will offer incentives for you to
bring your business to them, such as discounts or freebies that come with the
policy. Check regularly to see what kind of offers there are for the insurers
you’re considering but be careful to think it through and not give in to
impulse purchasing or pressure tactics. You could also talk to your current
provider to see if they can match quotes you’ve received elsewhere.
Pay In One Go
Paying your insurance premiums in one go is almost
always cheaper than paying monthly. Unfortunately, this is one of the catch-22s
of buying insurance, as people often opt for monthly payments because they
can’t afford to pay for the policy outright. It might help to start saving as
soon as you take out your new policy and try to pay in one go when the
insurance renews.
Increase Your Deductibles
The more you pay in deductibles, the lower your
insurance premiums will be. Of course, the higher your deductibles, the more
you will have to pay out of pocket if something does happen. You should think
carefully before using this option, as you’ll normally see the benefit if you
increase deductibles from $250 to $1,000. If you do this, it is vital that you
have sufficient savings to cover the $1,000 deductible so that you aren’t left
in debt or on the wrong side of Texan law.
Take A Defensive Driving Course
Defensive driving courses can help you to become a
better and safer driver, making you a lower risk in the eyes of your insurance
provider. There are plenty of defensive driving courses available to help you
manage emergency driving situations safely. You can even take these
courses online, though you should check with your
insurance provider to ensure that they accept the course you take.
Conclusion
There are plenty of options available for Texans who want
to bring down their car insurance premiums without sacrificing the quality of
their coverage. You’ll need to be strategic about your insurance and take steps
to make yourself a lower risk in the eyes of insurance providers. It is also
crucial to shop around until you find a provider with the right benefits and
value for money to make your insurance investment worthwhile.