Read on for 16 ways to get cheaper car insurance rates.
When does car insurance go down?
Car insurance can go down for a number of reasons. Several of the big ones are getting older, especially if you are turning 25, earning a new discount such as for loyalty to your insurer, switching insurance companies or earning good driver status with your insurance company.
While it seems like car insurance rates are always going up, there are plenty of reasons you could see a more affordable rate.
16 reasons your auto insurance could get cheaper
Some things you have to wait for to get a cheaper car insurance rates, like a speeding ticket falling off, or your birthday. But there are also things you can do to make your car insurance rates go down, and some of them you can even do right now. Want your car insurance rate to go down? Below you'll find 16 reasons your car insurance bill could drop.
1. You shopped around and switched car insurance companies
Maybe you first took out your auto insurance policy when you were newly licensed, or when your credit wasn’t in great shape. Now that things have changed, you don’t have to be stuck with the same high rate. In fact, you don't have to have any changes in your life to shop around; you can still look for a better price even if that ticket is still on your record.
Periodically shopping around for the best deal on car insurance is a great way to pay less. Today, it’s easy to compare quotes online. Just make sure you choose a reputable company and adequate coverage.
2. You increased your deductible
Your deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance kicks in – typically $500-$1,000. Though you’d probably prefer to pay as little out-of-pocket as possible following an accident, raising your deductible can lower your auto insurance premium because you share more financial risk with your insurer.
Just be sure that if you do increase your deductible, it’s not so high that you wouldn’t be able to afford it if bad luck did strike. A few years with a higher deductible and no accident and you could save more than the deductible would cost.
3. You installed an anti-theft device
Car insurance companies are happy to provide discounts to customers who take steps to lower their risk as drivers. One way to do that is by installing devices that can deter thieves or make your car easier to recover if it is stolen, such as a car alarm or GPS tracking.
In fact, you could get anywhere from 5% to 30% off your comprehensive coverage policy for installing these types of devices.
4. You've reduced your coverage
One easy way to save money on car insurance is by downgrading your coverage. Of course, you don’t want to put yourself at risk by becoming underinsured, so make sure it's the right move. If you have an older vehicle that’s paid off, dropping down to liability coverage only could be a smart financial move.
To know for sure, find out its actual cash value (ACV) and determine if potentially losing that amount in a total loss is worth the monthly savings on your premium.
5. You've cleaned up your record and earned a good driver discount
Accidents, tickets and claims will jack up your rate – in most cases, for at least a few years.
"Minor violations will factor into your insurance rate for three years, while major violations can impact your premium for five to 10 years," says Tom Santamorena with Westlake Risk and Insurance Services.
How long does car insurance go down after one year with no claims? Maybe a little. But the more time that has passed since the infraction or claim, the better off you are.
Having no accidents within the past three to five years nets a car insurance discount of 26%, on average.
6. You had a birthday
Your age impacts what you pay. So at what age does car insurance go down? While most of us think of 25 as the magic number for car insurance rates, the truth is that as long as a young driver keeps a clean record, most companies will drop rates a little bit every year before then.
In most states, gender also impacts rates. So when does car insurance go down for males and when does car insurance go down for females? It's around the same age; however, rates for males are generally higher, so the decrease might not be as obvious.
7. You got married
If you decide to tie the knot, the cost of your car insurance after marriage will likely drop. Insurers love statistics, and data shows that married drivers get in fewer accidents. Married people also tend to buckle up more often and obey the rules of the road.
Some savings come as you combine policies and get multi-car insurance. However, even you marry a spouse who doesn’t drive, your rates can still drop dramatically – about 10% on average.
8. You downsized your vehicle
Maybe you no longer need to drive your kids to school and soccer practice, or the rising cost of gas has you rethinking your SUV. Downsizing your vehicle to something less expensive and more fuel-efficient can save you money in many ways, including on insurance. If the value of your car isn’t quite as high, you don’t need to pay for as much coverage.
9. You qualify for group insurance
If you belong to a certain club, work for a certain employer or have another affiliation, you might qualify for an insurance discount through group car insurance. For example, members of AAA can qualify for discounted insurance rates through many insurers. Ask your car insurance company what types of affinity group discounts it offers.
10. You paid your premium in full
Setting up your car insurance premium to be billed monthly might be easier to budget, but if you can afford to pay a larger chunk at a time, it could save you money. For example, if you opt to pay your premium in full every six months, you could save around 9%.
11. You've earned senior citizen status (and discounts)
You’re probably not in a hurry to get older, but aging does have its advantages. For one, you can qualify for certain senior discounts through your auto insurer. For example, completing a senior defensive driving course could knock 5% off your rate.
12. You improved your credit
If you had no credit or bad credit, an increase in your credit score can definitely lower your rate. Some states don't allow insurers to use credit scores to determine rates. "If your state does allow it, the savings can be big, as much as 10% to 15%," says Santamorena.
13. You don't commute anymore.
Taking a job working form home or taking the bus to work will allow you to switch your car from commuting to “pleasure use only.” On average, nationwide, giving up commuting drops premiums about 2%. Hardly impressive, but every dollar helps.
14. You bought a house
Insurers consider homeowners more stable than renters, so insurance is cheaper if you own a home, regardless of whether you insure your home with them or not. The discount amount will vary; nationally, it averages about 1.6%.
More serious savings come from bundling your home and auto insurance. The savings typically are reflected in your car insurance bill. Nationally, savings average about 8%.
15. You moved to a small town or rural area
If you decide to ditch the big city for a town with more space and fewer people, it could benefit your car insurance rate, too. Outside of your own driving record, few things have more impact on car insurance than your ZIP code. Less population density typically means fewer accidents.
16. You bought a new car
Trading in that sporty Audi for a Toyota Sienna? The vehicle you drive is one of the biggest factors when computing your rate. However, your claims rate affects your rates more than the actual car. You'll get a higher rate if your car model gets into more accidents -- even if you have a perfect driving record. Other drivers of your vehicle influence how an insurer gauges risk.
A minivan pretty much checks all the right boxes. However, some models driven by older people, like a Corvette, can be comparatively cheap to insure.
What makes car insurance rates go down?
Big changes in your life usually mean big changes in your insurance. But you don't have to wait for a change to happen to get lower rates. Of all the ways to get lower rates, taking the time to shop around for car insurance regularly is the best.
Does car insurance go down after 6 months?
It might. Most car insurance policies renew every six months. If something has changed in that time period to improve your rates, you might see a reduction.
Does car insurance go down after one year with no claims?
It may. Most car insurance companies offer a discount for being claims-free. In general, it takes three to five years without a claim to earn the discount, but if no claims also means a clean driving record, you might see savings sooner.
How long does it take for car insurance to go down for new drivers?
New drivers should see at least a small increase in rates for every year of experience. As long as the driver doesn't have any tickets or accidents, rates should slowly but steadily decrease. Of course, factors other than age can affect rates, so if you see an increase instead, ask your insurance company why.
How often does insurance go down?
There's no set frequency for insurance rates to go down. Rates are reviewed at every renewal and anything that has changed in that time will affect what you pay. That could mean a decrease or an increase, depending on what has changed.
When is the best time to shop for car insurance?
In addition the to events we listed above, there are a couple of other good times to shop around:
Your kid goes to college -- If your kid heads off to a college that is at least 100 miles away and doesn't take a car with him, your rate should drop. Some insurers discount your rate as much as 10%.
You move to another state -- State laws and different claims frequencies mean some cities will be much, much cheaper than others. A bad driver in Portland, ME, will probably pay less than a good driver in, say, Louisiana.
Frequently asked questions: Reducing car insurance rates
Can you negotiate car insurance rates?
Car insurance rates are set ahead of time and regulated, so it’s not actually possible to negotiate a different amount. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a better rate elsewhere. Each insurer has a range of rates it offers based on a driver’s profile, such as age, driving record and vehicle. That means auto insurance rates vary by company. So, by shopping around quotes from different insurers, you can hopefully find a policy that matches your budget.
How long does it take for car insurance to go down?
That depends on your previous driving record and whether you have any at-fault incidents to your name. In general, car insurance companies only consider the past three to five years of your driving history. So, while accidents won’t necessarily be removed from your record, they probably won’t factor into your rate after that length of time.
How can I lower my car insurance after an accident?
The bad news is that if you’re in an at-fault accident, or your insurance company thinks you’ve been involved in too many incidents, your insurance premium will likely go up. One at-fault incident, for instance, can raise your rate anywhere from 12% to 80%, depending on the severity. But there is a chance it won’t change. Unfortunately, your rate could still increase due to losing a good driver discount.
Why did my car insurance go down?
If you’ve been with your auto insurance company for three or more years, they may be willing to offer discounts that weren't listed during the quote process. Your insurance company will review your credit history and driving record before determining how much risk you pose. And if you have a clean record at every renewal you can see your insurance rates go down.
Why isn't my car insurance going down?
Auto insurance rates are affected by a lot of factors. In recent years there has been a general increase in rates in most places due to increased repair costs and severe weather. There is no guarantee that anyone's rates will go down, but if you feel you're due for a decrease, talk to your insurance company.
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