Compare Car Insurance Rates Online
By law, you must have full auto insurance if you have a lien on your vehicle. Car insurance tends to be an afterthought when people shop for a new car, and car dealers are aware of this.
Dealers prefer you don’t shop insurance rates before buying a car. If everyone did, they would be less likely to bump you into a higher payment. Not checking car insurance rates before buying a car is a costly mistake.
Where to Find Free Car Insurance Quotes Online
If you’re looking to buy a vehicle or haven’t shopped around for cheaper car insurance in the last six months, it may be very beneficial to take a few minutes and grab a few price quotes to compare.
Factors such as age, personal driving record, credit history, or lifestyle changes can affect insurance costs. Lifestyle changes may include recently purchasing a home, getting married, or having your children go on to college or out of the house, which may reduce the amount you pay for vehicle insurance.
The auto insurance industry has become very competitive. Because of this, insurance companies will strip out elements like windshield coverage that used to be in place just to cut their premiums.
The cheapest auto insurance doesn’t necessarily mean the best insurance for you!
Auto insurance rates can vary significantly from one insurance company to another. Shopping for the best car insurance coverage can be very frustrating and bring the most experienced shopper to their knees.
However, the internet makes the process much easier and can be completed from your computer or mobile device in just a few minutes.
Did you know?
If you have not shopped auto insurance rates within the last six months, you may be missing out on serious savings.
An insurance company will not call and volunteer any discount information you may qualify for. It’s your responsibility to see if you qualify for any discounted rates.
Get a Copy of Your Driving Record
Obtaining a copy of your driving record will allow you to investigate your driving history.
Sometimes, errors may occur that you’re unaware of, for example, tickets that have not fallen off or you’re not credited for a defensive driving class or school you’ve completed.
These errors can make you pay a higher price for car insurance coverage. You don’t want to discover mistakes on your driving record by your insurance company canceling your policy.
An insurance company is also going to check your driving record. Don’t try to get around telling them about a ticket or accident you had in another state over a year ago; they will find out, and your rates will go up accordingly if they don’t cancel you altogether.
On the brighter side, if you purchased your auto insurance while you had an accident or tickets on your driving record, they have since fallen off.
It would be best if you took advantage of the situation by doing some online comparison shopping; you may be entitled to some significant savings. The insurance company you’re with will most likely not freely offer any discounts from what you’re paying unless you mention that your past discrepancies have fallen off your record.
Shopping for a New Car?
Knowing the dealer invoice price and what other people are paying for the vehicle in your local area is essential before visiting a dealership to buy a new car. Otherwise, you won’t know a reasonable price to pay for any car you’re looking to buy.
Learn how to have dealers compete with each other online before ever stepping foot inside a dealership to guarantee you pay the best new car price and avoid any modern-day car dealer scams.
I highly recommend using an online referral service such as Ryde Shopper or Motor Trend. Their quotes will automatically include any discounts or cash-back incentives currently available.
About the author
My name is Carlton Wolf, and I’ve been in the car business since 1994, both retail and wholesale. I created the Auto Cheat Sheet to better educate buyers about the deceptive sales practices used by many dealerships throughout the country. Please understand that not all car dealers are dishonest. However, you never know who you’ll be dealing with, though. I’m willing to share my knowledge and experience with anyone who listens. Keep in mind that I’m a car guy, not a writer.
