Everybody knows that to get the best car insurance quote, it's important to shop at least five different car insurance companies. But before you even get those quotes, there are a few things you can do to make yourself (and your vehicle) more attractive to insurers.
1) Keep Your Credit Clean…
Studies have shown a direct correlation between your credit score and the likelihood that you will file an auto insurance claim. For this reason, almost all insurers pull your credit report. Your credit report shows an insurer if you pay your bills in a timely fashion and have had the same credit accounts for a long time. Someone who does this is considered more stable than someone who pays late and frequently opens and closes accounts. This information is used to create your "insurance risk score", which is one factor that determines your car insurance rate.
Tip: If your credit history is not strong, start cleaning it up. If there is unusual credit activity on your account, wait about a month for it to return to normal before shopping for car insurance quotes.
2) Think About the Type of Car You Plan to Buy…
Insurers have a rating system for every car make and model. Most use a system devised by the Insurance Service Office, which starts with the cost of the vehicle and then factors in safety and theft data. Cars are given a rating from 1 to 27, and the higher the number, the higher your premium.
Tip: Look up your car's relative risk online. If you're trying to keep your car insurance premiums low, it's best to consider this risk before you buy that high-risk sports car.
3) Pay your insurance premium in full ...
"Fractional premium" fees are usually charged when you pay your annual premium in six-month, quarterly or monthly installments. There is almost always an administrative fee to break down these payments also. This can really add up.
Tip: Ask about fees for paying in installments. If the fees are small enough, it may be worth it. If not, bite the bullet and pay for the insurance premium in full.
OK, you've cleaned up your credit, chosen a low-risk car and have budgeted to pay your full car insurance premium up-front. Now you're ready to shop for your best car insurance quote!
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