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Save money on your auto insurance: Money-saving car insurance tips

Are you paying too much for your auto insurance? If you believe you are paying too much for your current auto insurance coverage then the following suggestions may help you save money:

1. Shop around
Sure, youve read this tip everywhere but its true. Only by shopping around for auto insurance coverage and getting quotes on premiums from several insurance companies will you be able to know for certain you are getting your car insurance coverage at the best available rate.

When shopping for your auto insurance policy, remember to compare more than insurance rates. Ask about how insurance claims are approved and processed, and how quickly theyre paid. Look into each insurers financial stability (there are independent rating services that can help you with this.) Remember, during times of stress like after an accident you will be dealing with the insurance company and youll want to make sure youll be helped when you need it most.

2. Select a higher insurance deductible
When you file a claim, a deductible is the amount you pay first before your insurer pays the remaining balance. Often people select lower deductibles, so when they have to submit a claim, their out-of-pocket expenses are minimal. But the truth is, the higher your collision and comprehensive deductibles the lower your auto insurance premium. The savings by increasing your deductible to say $1,000 from $250 are significantyou can save hundreds of dollars off your insurance premium.

Of course, the flipside is that if you should have to submit an insurance claim you are responsible for paying the deductible. So select the maximum deductible you can afford to paythe higher the better because the difference in your car insurance premiums will mean more cash in your pocket.

3. Remove or reduce coverage on older vehicles
If your car is getting up there in age, you may want to think about dropping the collision or comprehensive coverage (or both) on your policy. You need to think about this one though – it’s not always a clear-cut decision. You need to weigh the cost of the two coverages with the value of your car and your chosen deductibles. For example, if you had a 10-year-old car thats worth about $1000, and your deductible was $1000, the coverage is not actually going to help you.

4. Ask about discounts
Most insurance companies offer discounts. While the availability of discounts will vary depending on your insurer, where you live and whether you meet eligibility, make sure to ask if there are any discounts you can take advantage of. The following is a list of a few of the more common discounts (if available in your state, each insurer will have different eligibility requirements):

Multi-vehicle discount – available if you insure multiple vehicles with the same insurer
Multi-line discount – available if you insure your home and auto with the same insurer
Good driver discount – if you have not had an accident or ticket in a long time
Good student discount – if youre a student with good grades, usually about a B average
Safe driver discount – if youve taken and passed an accredited driver safety course
Anti-theft discount – if your vehicle has certain anti-theft devices installed
Safe vehicle discount – if your vehicle has certain extra safety features
Retiree discount – if youve reached a certain age, usually 50 or 55
Low mileage discount – if your vehicle is not driven often
Occupational discount – if you work in a certain field or hold a certain degree
Auto club discount – if you are a member of an auto club, like AAA
Association discount – if you belong to certain associations, like your alma mater
Away-at-school discount if your child is attending school out of town

5. Choose a car that costs less to insure
If youre purchasing a new car and have narrowed it down to two or three options, compare the auto insurance rates of each to see if there is a notable difference in the cost to insure. Remember, insurance rates are more for vehicles with high theft rates and repair costs. If there is a significant difference in cost to insure your first choice car, you may have to reconsider.

6. Drive safely
OK, this one is obvious but true. Drivers with no accidents, tickets or insurance claims almost always pay less for their auto insurance coverage. Your driving record is an influential factor in determining your insurance rate. Tickets and at-fault accidents affect your insurance rates for years. With a less than perfect driving record, you can find yourself paying a lot of extra insurance premium over the years.

Everyone knows that health insurance costs are at an all time high. With the cost of medical care also skyrocketing, people, especially those that are self-employed are desperate to find ways to save money on their health insurance. This can be a difficult task as most insurance companies are far from excited to offer coverage to the self-employed.

Your first step would be to shop around. Contact an agent that deals with many companies instead of contacting the companies directly. This will save you not only time but also some money in the process because an agent will not be paid unless he or she finds the insurance that is right for you and you agree to take it. Tell the agent exactly what you are looking for and how much you wish to spend on premiums, deductibles and so on. Remember, be specific! If you want to ensure that you are getting what you want then you need to give as many details as possible.

Once you have some offers in hand read the fine print. This is the number one mistake made by people when seeking health insurance. Sure, the policy looks grand on the surface but then once you are locked in you find that it is full of restrictions and extra fees. Insurance companies are in business to make money, not spend it. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

Finally, do not agree to any policy until you have checked out all the offers that were made to you. More often than not, a higher premium policy is better in the end because it offers smaller deductibles, and fewer restrictions. You could find yourself paying less for a policy but then also getting a lot less in return. If the policy does not help you then it does not matter how small the premiums are.

Cheap Home Insurance – A Few Tips To Save Money

Is there such a thing as cheap home insurance? There may be a better question. Is home insurance really that expensive? Homeowners insurance may very well be the consumers best buy when it comes to insurance. There are multiple benefits and features that make the home policy unique. Most everything that the homeowner owns including the dwelling can be covered in some way by homeowners insurance. When you think of the magnitude of the coverage afforded by homeowners insurance versus the premium paid then you would have to agree that homeowners insurance is a very good buy. The rates on property insurance in general, have increased over the last ten years. Much of that has to with increased catastrophes like the hurricanes in Florida. The toxic mold problem that originated out west has also caused premiums to increase on a national basis. The home insurance buyer really needs to focus on a few areas to get the most for the premium dollars paid.

Accurate Dwelling Amount This is the first most critical decision that you will make. The square footage of your dwelling has to be correct in establishing the replacement value of your home. The market value is of little use to you when you purchase insurance to rebuild the structure. Replacement cost is better for homes that have been built within the last 40 years. Check with your insurance company underwriting guidelines.

Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value This facet of your home insurance policy should be clearly understood. Replacement cost insurance on both your dwelling and its contents means that the insurance company will rebuild or replace your loss with like kind and quality. Actual Cash Value will calculate the replacement cost and then subtract for depreciation. The actual cash value policy is cheaper but you will have to come up with the depreciable amount out of your own pocket.

Deductible Higher deductibles bring your premium down substantially. $500 to $1000 deductibles are common. This is a huge savings to you over the years and is your most valuable tool in lowering the cost.