3 ways to save on auto insurance

It’s not your imagination. Car insurance premiums have never been higher.

According to TheZebra.com annual State of Auto Insurance Report, car insurance premiums are at an all-time high, with a national average annual premium of $1,427.

Your rate depends mostly on where you live. Some U.S. cities have average annual premiums of more than $6,000.

Insurance companies are also cracking down on distracted drivers. If you got a ticket for texting while driving, you can expect a 16% jump in premium. Run a red light? That will be a 22% premium hike.

Don’t let the stats get you down.

There are plenty of ways to shave anywhere from 8% to 17% off your premium without sacrificing your coverage.

Here are three.

Shop around: Loyalty may not always translate into greater savings. It’s worth looking into, especially if you haven’t compared offers in a few years. Just make sure the insurer you select is highly rated, so that great deal doesn’t end up costing you time and money after an accident.

Ask about discounts: This is the time to pick up the phone and have a conversation about what discounts are available to you. Never filed a claim? Your teen have good grades or taken a drivers’ education course? Is there a discount if you recently raised your credit score? You may be surprised by what qualifies for discounts. Even membership in certain groups or clubs can drive down your premium. Also be sure to explore whether there are discounts for bundling other types of insurance like renters, homeowners or life together. It all adds up, so take the time to ask.

Consider restructuring: Review your payments and deductible. TheZebra.com report found drivers can save up 10% when paying in full (either annually or every 6 months) and online. Raising your deductible to $1,000 can lead to savings of 11%. Just make sure you keep $1,000 in savings so you’re not stuck without a ride in the event of an accident.

Myriam DiGiovanni

Myriam DiGiovanni

After writing for Credit Union Times and The Financial Brand, Myriam DiGiovanni covers financial literacy for FinancialFeed. She is also a storytelling expert and works with credit unions to help ... Web: www.financialfeed.com Details