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Monday, November 9, 2009

California Automobile Insurance Rates -- To Save Much, Implement These


Do you want a more affordable California vehicle insurance rate while maintaining sufficient coverage? Let's discuss several sure-fire steps to getting just that...

1. Some cars cost much to insure. Therefore, have this on your mind when you go to shop for your next vehicle. Two factors that will make you pay more for auto insurance are a vehicle's crash rating and theft rate.

Another thing to take into consideration is the cost of maintaining a car since it is also an issue that affects your rate. This is my personal opinion; but it does make sense to opt for a comparable vehicle that is more insurance-friendly.

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2. You will spend less on auto insurance if your vehicle is considered to have a higher safety rating. Select cars that have systems that increase safety. Such features get you a big discount. Examples of these safety mechanisms are air bags, automatic seatbelt, ABS brakes and daytime running lights. For more details on these and how much savings you'll realize by fixing them, talk with your agent.

3. Under-25 drivers get higher rates than any other age group. More so, the younger an under-25 driver, the more they'd have to pay. That is why teenagers pay a lot more than 22-year olds.

This means that you'll help keep your rates down if you do NOT have a teen driver on your policy. It will have an adverse effect on your rate. Sign an exclusion form that will allow your teen driver have his or her own policy.

If a teen is keen on driving then then should be made responsible for at least the cost of their California auto insurance. Teens who pay for their own auto insurance are more willing to take steps to bring it down. This by extension means that such a teen driver will be more responsible behind wheels since they bear the full cost of their actions.

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4. You'll save by being loyal to an insurer due to the long term discount and accident forgiveness which they give to long-standing policy holders. Some insurers will give you up to 5% in discounts once you've been with them for up to three years while others will give you such a discount only when you've stayed for up to five.

The accident forgiveness discount means that your insurer will not raise your rates if you file just one claim. It makes sense for the insurer as it is cheaper to give discounts to existing policy holders than to acquire new ones. The longer you stay, the more you'll save.

Just bear in mind that some people will be better off if they switched to another insurer notwithstanding the many discounts given to long term policy holders.

If your auto insurance rate is $2,500 and you are given a five percent discount when you maintain a policy with them for up to 5 years you'll pay $2,500 - (5% of $2,500 or $125) = $2,375.

However, due to inflation, insurance companies may have to make adjustments in their rates to show those changes. Within the course of these three years you would most likely get an insurer who'll offer you a comparable auto insurance coverage or better for under $2,000. If this is true about you then you know it's ideal for you to go for the cheaper offer right away and not wait for years to qualify for a discount that won't even save you as much.

You'll almost always pay less if you take the time to shop right because there are hundreds of auto insurance companies around. You can only be sure if this is true for your profile if you obtain and evaluate quotes from many different auto insurance companies and then see where your interest is better served..

5. Take part in a defensive driving program. In addition to making you a safer driver, such programs will make you eligible for a discount with your insurance carrier provided such a class is one they approve.

6. It's easy to save a few hundred dollars on a home but lose thousands over the years on auto insurance because of its location. Also note that a neighbor not too far away might fall under a lower crime zone than you -- This affects rates.

So, as part of your home shopping activities, check how this neighborhood will affect your auto insurance rate. The truth is that most people don't think about this when they are about buying a home.

Since you may live in the same home for decades to come, a difference of $200 in auto insurance rates would amount to thousands over the years.

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7. An alternative for you is to use your parents' California car insurance policy. The fact that you are of driving age means that your parents are of a lower risk age group.

You must remember that the car must be registered in their name and you must be living with them if you want to use this option. If you don't like the idea of giving the car's ownership to them and other stuff that may come with it, then you will have to forget this alternative.

8. Make out some time to visit at least 5 insurance quotes sites that provide quotes on California auto insurance policies. It will take you not more than 25 minutes.

While you visit each quotes site, ensure you give the same details. Doing otherwise will produce misleading quotes. When you've obtained your auto insurance quotes, compare them to determine which serves your interest best in price/value.
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