If you’re like most people, you don’t think about your insurance coverage often. Until something bad happens – or – you notice the cost has gone up. Like any good business, insurance companies want to keep their customers happy. Unfortunately, there are times where factors outside of their control may impact what customers pay.
Thankfully, there are options that can lower the cost of your car insurance. Let’s start by looking at why you may be paying more.
What drives auto insurance rates?
A major impact on today’s car insurance rates is the cost of repairs. Modern vehicles are equipped with more technology than ever – think of all the cameras and sensors built into our bumpers – which means even minor collisions can result in significant repair costs. Distracted driving is also a concern; primarily for the safety and well-being of our communities, and also because it is responsible for an increase in insurance claims.
Simply put: when insurers pay out more for auto repairs, your costs go up, too.
So, what can you do to keep your insurance costs manageable?
- Contact your broker if your vehicle usage has changed. This may include:
- Driving less. If you drive less, you may be eligible for a reduced premium.
- Autonomous Emergency Braking. If your car has this function, you may be eligible for a discount.
- Driver training. If a user of your vehicle has taken training, a discount may apply.
- Seasonal parking. If you park your car – and don’t use it – for an extended period of time, you may be eligible for savings.
- Consider revising your coverage or deductibles.
- Increase your deductible to reduce your annual costs; something to consider if you have a strong driving record and are deemed less likely to experience an at-fault accident.
- Purchase an Accident Waiver. Protect against any premium increase related to an at-fault accident. It will increase your costs in the short term but will offer significant savings in the event you need to file a claim.
- Remove coverage you don’t want or need, such as glass or hail coverage.
- If your family has more than one insurance policy, you may be eligible for:
- Multi-Vehicle Discount. This can apply to all vehicles in your household, even if they are in different names or through a different broker.
- Multi-Product Discount. Ask your broker if it’s possible to bundle your policies, such as those for your home, condo or rental.
- Recreational Vehicle Discount. If you’re insuring an RV or a motorcycle in addition to your car, you may be able to decrease your overall insurance costs.
- Additional tips:
- Practice safe driving. Strong advice on many levels; one being that convictions and license suspensions can increase premiums.
- Protect your vehicle. Theft or damage can increase your insurance costs. Park in a covered garage if possible, keep doors locked at all times, or install an alarm system if your vehicle does not have an immobilizer.
- Choose the right car. The make, model and year of your car influence your insurance costs, as some are safer than others or are stolen more frequently.
- Add new drivers to your policy. As soon as a driver becomes licensed, they begin building their driving history, which pays off down the road. The longer the insurance history – particularly when crash free – the less the driver will have to pay in the future. While this will cost more in the short term, it will benefit the new driver in the long run.
- Report the use of snow tires In some regions, this may qualify you for a discount.
Insurance companies want to make things right for their customers when the unexpected occurs, and work hard to control the impact of our new realities. In the meantime, we encourage you to consider these tips to keep your own auto insurance costs as affordable as possible.
Your independent Wawanesa Insurance broker is available to help answer your questions and to assist you with managing your insurance needs.
See also: Part 2: Home Coverage
