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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Hints for Saving on American Auto Insurance

By Thomas Kielez

In the United States their are many different auto insurance providers and providers may even have different policies or coverage levels so you can save a lot of money by comparing different companies and different policies. To get information from different auto insurance providers you can usually reach them by phone or on the internet. You can also find valuable information about different companies at the Insurance Department at your State capital.

As in other countries, American auto insurance has been developed to protect drivers from a financial loss or liability if they are involved in an accident. Coverage is also available to cover the loss of a car from theft. The first thing to focus on when comparing different insurance providers is their financial stability. You don't want to count on a company that has a poor financial rating. There are several sources of financial information on insurance companies. Standard & Poor's and A.M. Best are two of the more well know insurance ratings companies.

American auto insurance companies sell policies in several different ways. Some companies have branch offices that are located throughout the country. Other companies sell through independent insurance agents who represent several insurance companies but they are not employed directly by the company itself. Others providers sell directly to consumers online and on the phone rather than face to face.

When comparing different companies, the price is only one factor to be considered. You will want to work with a company that provides good service, has a good record of satisfying claims. One of the best ways to find responsive companies is to ask for recommendations from your friends and associates, as well as checking with your state insurance department. You will want to find out what their experience has been with different companies and whether they have complaints about specific insurance companies.

When it comes to getting the best rates on your auto insurance policy, raising the deductible is one of the first considerations. A deductible, which is the amount that you would pay out of pocket if you were in an accident, reduces the risk to the insurance company of having to pay a claim for a small accident. The higher the deductible you are willing to pay out of pocket, the lower your insurance rates. You do have to pay this out of pocket though, so you would want to make sure you have access to an amount equal to your deductible.

Another way to save on car insurance is by dropping collision and comprehensive coverage on older vehicles that are paid off. A good rule of thumb is that if the vehicle is worth less than 10 times the premium you should consider dropping full coverage and switch to a more limited policy.

If you already have some other type of insurance you may want to check with that provider to find out if you can get any kind of discount for also getting your auto insurance through them. This may not always be the best deal but it is something you should check out.

In addition to the vehicle and your driving record, insurance companies may also consider your credit history when setting your premiums. If you have a poor credit history you will usually end up paying more for your insurance. You can improve your scores by paying off any overdue accounts, making all payments on time and correcting any mistakes on your record that may be lowering your credit scores.

Another discount to ask about if you carpool or don't drive a lot is the low mileage discount. Not all companies offer it, but enough do that it is something you should check on if you fall in that category.

There are a few more discounts that are worth checking on such as discounts for drivers that have had a policy for many years or people who have gone through a defensive driving course. There are also discounts for young drivers who have good grades or who are at college away from home without a car.

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