Tips to Save Money on Car Insurance
Auto
insurance bears little resemblance to the financial
services with which we're all familiar. The amount
we pay for coverage and what we get when we file a
claim is based upon a confusing myriad of factors.
But
there are new trends that present some promising ways
for smart women to save money on premiums. First,
though, a primer:
Before
you even choose your insurance, there are several
lifestyle and automotive decisions that will greatly
influence your insurance experience. Generally speaking,
as a woman, you're already ahead of the game. But
buy a small, high-performance car, and you'll be paying
dearly, whether you're a fast-driving female or a
go-slow girl. Corvettes, Camaros and Firebirds are
three of the most expensive cars to insure.
What
you equip your car with, from anti-theft devices to
anti-lock brakes, also can make a big difference.
There
are many things that are difficult — if not impossible — to
change. For instance, a 16-year-old woman will pay
more than a 21-year-old, who will pay more than a
27-year-old. Along with age and sex, insurers take
marital status, where the driver lives, and what the
car's primary use will be — whether it's used for work
transportation or a general family car — into consideration.
Before
you run off and get hitched to a car or a mate you
don't like, spend some time comparing insurance companies
and their rates. Although
many insurers have dropped or are reducing their discounts
for ABS and airbags now since most new
vehicles offer them, there are still ways to get a
deal on premiums.
For
example, BMW recently managed to convince Allstate
to lower its rates on its 5- and 7-Series models by
one rating classification, which will save BMW owners
money on premiums. The company also is negotiating
with another insurer to offer owners below-market
rates because of BMW's good safety and security record.
Subaru
tried unsuccessfully to convince several insurance
companies to offer a discount for cars with all-wheel
drive, as at least one insurer now does in Japan.
Despite this failure, Subaru and other automakers
will continue to try to negotiate breaks for their
owners.
Your
insurer may not be advertising all of its discounts.
So it pays to ask. Consider some of the following
ways to save on premiums.