Best Car Insurance Companies Of October 2022 - Forbes Advisor

Once you decide how much auto insurance you need, it’s time to start shopping for a policy. Rates often vary widely between companies for the exact same coverage, so it’s smart to compare auto insurance quotes from multiple insurers. For example, in California, rates for a good driver range from $1,668 (Wawanese) to $3,940 (Hartford), a range of about $2,270 for the exact same driver.

here’s what you need to do to find the cheapest car insurance.

Reading: How to lower car insurance reddit

1. compare prices

If you don’t shop around, you won’t know if your rates are the highest or the cheapest. Getting multiple quotes will help you find the most affordable auto insurance company. You can find free quotes online or by working with an auto insurance agent. Independent insurance agents can provide quotes from multiple companies. insurance quotes are always free.

2. ask about discounts

Ask about auto insurance discounts when you get auto insurance quotes. You can generally lower your auto insurance costs with discounts for:

by “bundling” multiple insurance policies from the same company, such as auto and home insurance.
insure more than one vehicle with the same company.
qualify for a good driver discount.
if you have a student on the policy, get a discount if they are a good student.
If you have a college student on the policy, get a discount if they’re at school without a car (usually at least 100 miles away).
Take a defensive driving class if you are age 55 or older.
pay your auto insurance bill in full over time instead of monthly.

3. choose a higher deductible

collision and comprehensive coverage have a deductible. The deductible is the amount of money an auto insurance company deducts from an insurance claims check.

The higher your deductible, the less you’ll pay for insurance.

here is an example. Let’s say you’re in an accident and $2,000 worth of damage to his car. If your collision deductible is $500, the insurer will deduct it from the settlement amount, giving you a $1,500 check to cover repairs.

If you decide on a high deductible, try to set aside money for that deductible so you have it available if you need to file a claim later.

4. ask about pay per mile policy if you don’t drive much

If you have a car, but take public transportation to work and don’t drive your vehicle much, check out pay-per-mile auto insurance policies.

5. ask about usage-based car insurance

Usage-based insurance (ubi), also called telematics, may sound like pay-per-mile, but it’s quite different. With a usage-based insurance policy, the auto insurance company tracks your driving in detail and creates a driving score.

For example, a usage-based insurance program might track your speed, braking, acceleration, miles traveled, and time of day. the program will use a smartphone app or a device connected to the vehicle to track your driving.

These programs often come with an initial discount and then you can save more depending on your driving. but not all drivers with ubi can save money. these programs are best suited for excellent drivers.