Discount Auto Insurance

Most of us are familiar with at least a few auto insurance discounts but few realize the long list of discounts available depending upon the state in which you live, the insurance company you do business with, and several other factors. By being proactive and doing your homework, you can save a significant amount of money on your car insurance premiums. While some discounts are only for about 3% of the base cost of the premium, others will save you 25 to 30% off the price of your car insurance. Still, other discounts save a percentage off only a certain portion of your premium, such as comprehensive, collision, or personal injury protection
Safety Discounts
Whenever you're in the market for a vehicle, whether new or used, it's prudent to take the cost of insurance into consideration. Start with the vehicle itself. Each vehicle is given a safety rating meaning that the safer your vehicle is considered to be, the cheaper your insurance will be. In addition, there are several safety features that, when factory installed, will qualify you for discounts off of certain parts of your policy. Air bags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and a factory installed anti-theft system are the most common safety features that will earn you discounts on your auto insurance policy.
You may also qualify for a discount for daytime running lights and automatic seat belts. A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) window etching qualifies for discounts in some states although it doesn't have to be factory installed. In fact, it's much more expensive if you purchase a car from the dealer with the VIN number already etched on the windows, so you may want to consider doing this yourself or shopping around for someone who can do it for you. You might also check with your city's police department to see if they have a VIN number etching program. The Austin, Texas police department has a free VIN number etching program as a part of their Auto Theft Interdiction Project.
Coverage Discounts
Other common types of car insurance discounts are given for multi-car coverage so you'll want to be sure and insure all family cars on the same policy. In addition, choose your insurance company wisely because if they are able to handle your homeowner's or renter's insurance as well as your automobile insurance, you'll most likely receive a bundling discount. If possible, review all your insurance policies at the same time to ensure you are getting the best deal from the best company.
Another reason to choose your insurance company wisely in the first place is because some insurance companies reward you with generous discounts when you renew your policy. If you're constantly shopping around for cheaper insurance, consider all the factors before you switch and do your homework when you first sign up for coverage to maximize the amount of discounts for which you may qualify.
Driver Related Discounts
Here, you get rewarded just for being yourself and a chance to better yourself, in some cases, for additional discounts. If you maintain a good driving record and remain accident and ticket-free for three to five years, you'll likely qualify for a good driver discount. In fact, it's a good idea to get a copy of your driving record or motor vehicle report before you purchase car insurance so that you can check for errors. It's possible that a ticket you thought had been removed erroneously remains on your record, thereby increasing your insurance premium.
The same goes for your credit report. More and more insurance companies are basing the cost of insurance on what's contained in your credit report. This would be a good time to verify your credit history and fix any errors. Other driver related car insurance discounts include being a good student, and in some cases, a college graduate. Young drivers that take an approved driver education course may qualify for an insurance discount and drivers who voluntarily take an approved defensive driving course may qualify for a discount in some states. The discount doesn't apply if you take the course in order to remove a ticket from your driving record.
Other Discounts
Military personnel, active and retired, often qualify for generous car insurance discounts. Those in the Reserves and National Guard are also eligible. Do you belong to a professional group or business organization? Some insurance companies even give discounts to members of a credit union, so be sure and ask about discounts for any organization to which you belong.
In certain states and with certain insurance companies, teachers who belong to either the National Education Association (NEA) or state education associations qualify for special car insurance discounts. Senior citizens often qualify for car insurance discounts as do those who drive only occasionally or fewer miles than average. Some insurance companies also give discounts to carpool participants or those who regularly use public transportation.
As you can see, there are more discounts than ever before for car insurance. Not all discounts are proactively offered, so you'll want to inquire about any discount for which you may qualify. Realize, too, that not all discounts are offered in all states or by all insurance companies. Do your homework, shop around, and enjoy the savings!