If you decide your insurance premiums are going to be too high with your current insurer after an accident, this may not be a bad time to shop around for a new policy.
While looking around, you may be able to lower your premiums by taking advantage of certain discounts. Consider the following advice from the Insurance Information Institute:
Comparison shop. Prices for the same coverage can vary by hundreds of dollars, so it pays to shop around.
Ask for higher deductibles. A deductible is the amount you pay for a covered loss before the insurance company begins picking up the bill. By requesting higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage, you can lower your premium costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive cost by 15% to 30%.
Drop collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. No insurance policy will pay more on a claim than your car is worth. It may not be cost effective to buy collision or comprehensive coverages on cars worth less than $1,000 because your claim payment wouldn't be much more than your annual premium and deductible. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the market value of your car.
Buy a low profile car. Before you buy a new or used car, check what it would cost to insure. Cars that are expensive to repair, or that are favorite targets for thieves, have much higher insurance costs.
Take advantage of low mileage discounts. Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive fewer than a predetermined number of miles a year.
Find out about automatic seat belt or air bag discounts. You may be able to take advantage of discounts on some coverages if your car has automatic seat belts and/or air bags.
Ask about anti-lock brakes. Anti-lock brakes improve steering control and stability when a car is brought to a stop, thus reducing accidents. Some states, including Florida, New Jersey and New York, require insurance companies to give discounts for cars equipped with these brakes. Other insurance companies provide this discount nationwide.
Inquire about other discounts. Insurance companies offer discounts for things you might not be aware of. Discounts for having more than one car, drivers over 50 years of age, driver training courses, anti-theft devices, and good grades for students are all examples of ways your insurance costs can be reduced by inquiring.
"Unfortunately very few other incentives will cancel out the damage that an accident can do to your premiums," Saperstein said. "You can choose to play a little hardball with the insurer, but you may just have to shop around to find a better deal somewhere else."
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