[Naul-Rin]

Frugal minded friends! I need you best tips and advice on shopping around for car insurance. We went from $850 to $1200 (when it renews). That is just too much!

[Mariamada]

Go with an insurance broker instead of an independent seller. They can get you quotes from several companies at once and help you compare cost and benefits.

[Wendy]

I do auto injury claims at my law firm. The BEST pieces of advice I can offer are:

1. Shop with an insurance broker – do NOT reach out to the insurance companies directly. A broker will get you much better deals and might find bundle discounts as well. We have 3 older cars, all with full coverage and pay $1,200 a year for $300/500K liability and $500 deductible for collision with $5K medpay.
2. Don’t skimp on medpay or PIP if you are in one of those states. I tell people to figure out what their health insurance deductible is and make sure you have enough medpay to cover that and a bit extra for things like lost wages and prescription out of pocket. I can’t tell you the number of clients who decline medpay to save $60/year and then have an accident where they have to pay out of pocket for injuries until their third party claim is settled or litigated.
3. If you have a lot of valuable assets, make SURE your coverage is high enough or get an umbrella policy. These days, if you seriously injure someone in an accident and they get flighted to a hospital and are in the ICU, you are looking at a massive liability claim. Anything above your policy limits could directly affect you and your assets – if the person doesn’t have adequate UIM coverage or you are in a state with funky UIM laws.

Have you seen: How to lower auto insurance rates despite no claims and low mileage?

[Ann]

Go directly to insurance companies for quotes. Agents love to say you don’t pay them, but you pay extra premium and the insurance company pays them.

[Kristin]

Just do your research with whoever you pick. I went for cheaper the last two years and when I had a claim they blew me off. Went back to moderately priced – I don’t mind paying if they’re going to be there when I need them.

[Sally]

Try lesser known companies that don’t advertise, they seem to be much cheaper. Raise your deductible as high as you can afford to have it. Bundle home and auto to see if you get a discount.

I don’t recommend State Farm either, they were near impossible to deal with when my husband had severe hail damage to his car.

[Megan]

Get a broker. They check all the different companies and compare policies for you. Pur broker even checks over other options every year to try to find us savings.

[Beth]

So much of how much you pay for car insurance is based on state laws. If you’re in a no-fault state, your rates will be significantly higher. Driving older, paid off cars can help, but may not make a huge dent.

[Janiece]

Shop around every few years, insurance companies run on a weird cycle of who is cheaper. Also prices depend on location, what’s being insured, coverage and credit score.

[James]

I always find a insurance broker.

Typically, they can get me 4-5 good quotes, but then I do call around to various insurance companies, sending them my current insurance coverage to see what they can do. I typically will do 3.

[Lisa]

We don’t drive much and use the Allstate Milewise pay-as-you-go insurance. You have to plug a device into your car. The things that count against you are driving before 4 AM, slamming on your brakes, driving over 80 mph. It costs us a little less than $73 a month approx for 2 vehicles.

[Ashley]

Can you bundle with your home? We save by doing this. Shop around but be sure you are looking at coverages and companies. You don’t want to end up shooting yourself in the foot by going with a crappy company that won’t stand behind you if you need them.

Also, be sure to look at defensive driving classes online.

I think it was $40 for me and my husband and we save about $15 a month.

Consider browsing: Who else saw their car insurance increase substantially?

[Rose]

Military USAA, if you have a family member using USAA you can join it too.. saved me 100.00 a month.

[Author]

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