Why should I shop around for car insurance? Every 6 months to a year....
Robert Ayala
DBDM | Delivering Critical Life Support Systems for Defense | CO2 Absorption | Oxygen Generation | Gas Filtration Solutions
To see if you’re getting the very best deal on car insurance for your situation, consider shopping for a new rate every 6 month to a year.
You don’t need to wait until you receive a renewal notice from your present carrier to begin shopping for a new policy.
The sooner you begin your search, the more time you’ll have to compare prices.
You can cancel your existing coverage before it expires, if you find a better policy. According to CIQ, if you do so, your insurance company will typically refund the unused portion of your premium, but they might charge you an administrative fee.
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Why should I shop around for car insurance?
Shopping is important because the car insurance industry is competitive — the carrier who gave you the best rate last year may not do so today. The only way you’ll know is to shop for new quotes.
Insurance companies regularly adjust their prices. “There’s a good chance you may find a more competitive rate.”
“We advise people to do an 6 month to a year policy checkup, both with their home and auto coverage.” “As different programs are developed, new discounts can pop up.”
Car insurance rates increased by an average of 2 to 3 percent throughout the U.S. in 2017, according to a Compare Insurance Quotes
The benefits of shopping for car insurance
Even though you may not always find a better deal, shopping is the only way to be sure you’re not missing out on savings.
When you get insurance quotes, credit report inquiries from insurance companies won’t affect your credit history. They’re treated as a “soft inquiry,” like requests from you for a personal credit score.
Common Question
Does checking my credit scores count as a hard inquiry?
No! Checking your own credit scores doesn’t qualify as a hard inquiry, and you can do so as often as you'd like without it affecting your scores.
Here are four benefits you may experience when shopping for auto insurance.
1. It could save you money.
Insurance Shopping Study found that drivers who switched auto policies had an average premium of savings of $356 (a slight drop from $388 in 2016).
When you shop for car insurance, “you gain confidence that you’re getting good value for your insurance dollar.”
2. It helps ensure you’re not taken for granted.
Policyholders who keep the same policy year after year are more likely to be charged higher rates than if they periodically changed carriers.
“It’s another reason to keep an eye on your policy, even if you think you’re happy with it,”
3. It may improve your understanding of auto insurance.
Each time you shop for insurance, you’re improving your knowledge of the insurance industry and the coverages companies offer. This can make it easier for you to spot opportunities to reduce costs.
For example, you may decide you can accept a higher auto insurance deductible, the amount you must pay out of pocket before your expenses begin to be paid under your policy’s terms.
A higher deductible typically will reduce your rates. The amount of savings varies widely depending on a variety of factors, including the make and model of your car. It’s important to try to choose a deductible you can afford to pay if you must file a claim.
4. It can reduce the cost of insuring teen drivers.
When you add a teen driver to a family policy, shopping becomes essential, since teens often cause auto insurance rates to soar.
“Ask about the different types of discounts insurers will offer for a teen driver.”
For example, many insurers will reduce rates for teens if they agree to take a safe-driver training course.
Tips for shopping for auto insurance
When shopping for car insurance, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of finding a better policy.
- Check your credit history. California, Massachusetts and Hawaii don’t allow the use of credit histories as a factor for setting car insurance rates. However, if you live in a state that does allow using credit history, check your credit reports before you shop, and dispute any errors to help make sure your information accurately reflects your creditworthiness. Investigating error complaints can take up to 45 days.
- Try shopping online. One easy way to shop for insurance is online. There are numerous websites that allow you to compare rates and policy features, including CIQ. Make sure you’ve gathered some basic information about your vehicle before you begin, such as your car’s mileage reading and the vehicle identification number (VIN).