Time to Price Check Your Car Insurance
Shopping for car insurance isn’t really that hard, but it does take a lot of time which is probably why most Americans tend not to do it unless they absolutely have to. The problem is, if you haven’t shopped for car insurance for several years you may not know if your current rates are competitive or not. To help you overcome the urge to put it off any longer, here are some tips on what information you need to have available and what you should ask when shopping for car insurance.
Your Car’s Information
Anywhere you go to inquire about car insurance, you will be asked for similar pieces of information about your car. Gathering it all before you start will make it easier to request several quotes. Here’s what you typically need:
- The make, model, and year of the car
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Your driver’s license number
- Your Social Security Number
- How long you’ve owned the vehicle
- Your car’s current mileage reading
- Details of any modifications that have been made to the vehicle (i.e. upgraded alarm system, etc.)
Your Driving Habits and Other Information
In addition to the particulars of your car, insurance companies will ask you about your driving habits including how far and how often you drive to work and whether you use the vehicle for work. This allows them to estimate how much time you will likely be spending in your car during rush hour or at other risky times of the day. Especially in larger cities, this can impact the cost of your policy substantially. Insurance companies will also ask whether anyone other than you will be driving the car and if so, they may ask for their driver’s licence number as well.
What You Should Ask
If you drive infrequently, or work from home ask whether usage-based car insurance (UBI) is available. In cases where you generally have a clean record but have recently had an infraction, been involved in an accident or made a claim, UBI could also work in your favor. Ask the company what information is collected for their UBI policy and how it is collected. Also, be sure to ask about other offers or discounts that may apply to you. Bundling different kinds of insurance to get a better rate is a common discount but there may be others that are not advertised.
Staying The Course May Cost You
How many of you purchased car insurance from the same company your parents use? Don’t be shy, you’re not alone. Many drivers stay with the same car insurance company, on the same policy for many years at a time. Ultimately there is nothing wrong with that, however, it is a good idea to check on prices every few years to make sure that the rates you are paying are the best you can get for the coverage you are getting. Paying even a few extra dollars per month can add up to hundreds at the end of the year, and many thousands over time.
Shopping for car insurance may not be at the top of your list of chores, but you can hand it off to an insurance broker to do the work for you. Get multiple quotes and discounts that you may not have known were available, and talk to the broker to determine what coverage you actually need so you’re not paying for too much. Give E&Y Agency a call at 248-671-6558 to talk about automobile insurance for your personal or business vehicle including bobtail insurance for independent truckers.
