Insurance Changes Require Adaption For Savings

By Author: Marcus Stalder
Total Articles: 491
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Do you have first rate automotive coverage for as little as possible? Although it's easy to become content with your current provider, it never hurts to take a look around to see what other companies are offering to seek a lower monthly premium. In fact, under some circumstances, switching your plan might be something you'll want to look into beforehand.

Why Consider Switching?

It's easy to continue with your current coverage when you're in the habit of paying your monthly premium. Sometimes, your current provider will have the best prices for you. Many insurers offer rewards to longtime customers, so if you do begin searching for an alternative, make sure you're aware of all of the discounts you're currently receiving, and factor those into potential future rates, or you may miscalculate and end up paying more than originally expected.

However, it is also not unusual for other companies to have better offers. This is particularly true if your circumstances have changed since you started your current plan. For instance, if you recently turned 25, your auto insurance should drop significantly due to the ...
... risk factors associated with drivers under that age.

If you received a speeding ticket or were in an auto accident, that will go on your record for 3-5 years and can immediately hike your rates. If this happens, it's a good idea to start looking for alternatives, since some companies care more about these incidents than others. When the incident drops off your record, call your policy provider to have them drop rates accordingly.

In the event that your teenage driver needs to be covered, consider insurance shopping, as policies for teens can vary greatly from one firm to another, and your rates could go up more than 50 percent. That being said, you will generally get the best deal by adding them to your current policy, even if they are the primary driver of the vehicle.

Buying a new vehicle can also greatly affect your rates. Providers look at maintenance costs, safety ratings, and how often a car is stolen when determining their rates. High performance cars with six or eight cylinders also tend to be more expensive than four-cylinder vehicles.

How to Cancel Your Current Provider

Generally you need only to tell your current provider in writing that you intend to cancel, but be aware of several factors.

First, it is usually a good idea to cancel within a month of the end of your current policy's renewal date. This will avoid penalties for canceling your insurance in the middle of your term. When you do cancel, make sure you have another plan in place. Going for any length of time, even 24 hours, without insurance can be catastrophic: if you get in a fender bender before your new policy begins, you could very likely face huge rate increases or be denied coverage altogether.

Your current insurer may request information on your new insurance policy. In many states they are required to confirm that you have a new policy in order to reduce the number uninsured drivers.

Always confirm your cancellation to avoid erroneous bills, and do not simply stop paying your monthly auto insurance premiums. This could affect your credit.
Check our online auto insurance quotes to maximize savings.