Auto Insurance

The Auto Insurance Basics
Smart-Money Tips on Buying Auto Insurance
Nine Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Costs
Automobile Claim Filing Tips

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Smart-Money Tips on Buying Auto Insurance

Car insurance doesn't come cheap, even for good drivers. Recently, the average annual premium nationwide was $774 a year per car, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners1. If you lived in New Jersey, you'll generally paid the most, $1,259 a year, on average, while the best rates were enjoyed by residents of North Dakota, who averaged just $506.

Still, there is a lot you can do to bring your rates down, no matter where you live. You can control those costs by selecting the coverage that is right for your needs and taking advantage of discounts. The result can be the right insurance for the right price. Here are some suggestions:

Up your deductible. Your deductible (the amount you pay out-of-pocket when there is a claim) can be as low as $50 or as high as $1,000. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be. Decide how much out-of-pocket expense you can handle. Then find out how much you can save by increasing your deductible.

Buy the right car. Many sporty, high-performance models are considered high risk because they are more dangerous or more likely to be stolen. If you own one of these autos, your premium may be several hundred dollars higher than it might cost to insure a more sedate sedan. Some cars are also more expensive than others to repair. That is one reason many people call their insurance agent before they buy.

Don't cut too many corners. Some people discontinue collision coverage once the car is a certain age. However, many of today's cars are holding their value longer...while the cost of carrying collision a few extra years may only be a few dollars.

Get all the discounts to which you are entitled.
Ask about:

• Multi-car discounts for insuring several vehicles with the same carrier. It may pay to work with only one company.
  
• Multi-policy discounts for insuring your home, autos, etc. with one company.
  
• Good driver discounts if you have had no accidents or moving violations for a certain period of time.
  
• Low-mileage discounts if you drive a limited number of miles a week. If you use your car only to go to the grocery store once a week, you may pay a lower rate than the person who drives to work and puts on 20,000 miles a year.
  
• Teen-driver discounts. Your rates can soar when teenagers get behind the wheel. However, you may benefit from a student discount if your teen maintains a certain grade point average; completes a driver training course; or is away at school at least 100 miles from home (and the car stays behind).

Taking the above steps could help you customize your auto insurance coverage to best fit your needs and, at the same time, save you premium dollars.

21st Century Auto Insurance
Get a free quote online. 21st Century Auto Insurance (formerly i21.com, now 21st.com) provides complete, comprehensive auto insurance for California, Arizona, Ohio, Oregon, and Indiana residents at very competitive prices.

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