Do you ever feel like you pay the highest rates around and just cant figure out why? Well, if any of the profiles below match yours then you have it coming.
1.
The Young and the Restless
Youth! You are the future, you carry within you infinite potential. Unfortunately, you also carry within you the potential for texting and driving, getting distracted easily, driving under the influence and therefore lots of claims. It doesnt help that you dont have a lot of experience on the road so chances that youll get into accidents are pretty high. The American Automobile Association has estimated that drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 are responsible for approximately $34 billion in damages to life and property on an annual basis. So its no surprise that insurance companies tend to offer you astronomical quotes.
Solution:
a.
Grow up: Literally. Once you hit 25, provided youve not inundated your insurance provider with claims or colored your driving record with violations, youre rates will most likely drop considerably.
b.
Discounts: Luckily for you, many car insurance companies have discounts specially for students, such as a Good Student Discount (generally this requires you to be below 25 years of age and have a GPA of B+ or above) and Driver Training Credit (that only students below 21 can opt for).
2.
The Rebel on the road
Bad drivers pay higher insurance rates. Your driving record is one of the largest factors that influence your car insurance rates. If you have traffic violations, you will get higher insurance quotes and your current insurer will most likely raise your premiums.
Solution:
a. Take preventive measures, and drive carefully in the first place. Not only will this get you
cheap auto insurance quotes, but some companies will also give you a Good Drivers discount or a Disappearing Deductible.
b. Taking a Defensive Drivers course can help you bump off a ticket and also make you a better driver, which leads to less violations, which leads to better insurance rates!
3.
The Drunk
A DUI is very bad for your insurance rates. Not only do you potentially face cancellation of your policy, but new providers may not take you on as a customer. If they do, youre looking at exorbitant insurance rates.
Solution:
Theres really only one solution to this. Dont drink and drive. Besides the fact that you may end up uninsured, hence unable to drive legally, by driving under the influence, you are endangering your own life as well the lives of others around you.
4.
Mr. Pimp My Ride
Yes modifications look good, make your engine growl, give you better traction and so on and so forth. But please keep in mind that insurance companies dont cover the cost of modifications in case of a car accident claim and in some cases, may even reject your claim, if you got the modifications without informing them. Insurance rates also tend to be higher for modified cars. Pimp your ride out by all means. But be prepared for the consequences.
Solution:
If you must get modifications, then make sure you find a provider who covers modified cars. Then, get the mods insured separately to save on insurance premiums. It may be hard to find a company that will agree to this, but hey, if you want decent rates and a pimped out ride, you have to put some work into it.
5.
The Old faithful
Yes, your insurance company gives you a loyalty discount for the decades youve stuck it out. Perhaps you have a social relationship with your agent at this point of time. Maybe you just dont want the hassle of looking at other providers. Point is, youve been with the same company for donkeys years now. This is why youre paying high rates. A world of low insurance rates, better services, and more thorough coverage could be waiting for you and you just dont know it!
Solution:
Play the field! See what else is out there! Getting
free car insurance quotes doesnt hurt. If you dont find a better quote, you stay with your current company. If you find a cheaper quote from a reputable company, you can take it to your current provider and ask them to match it. If they dont, well, change will do you good.
6.
Mr. Sports car
Whether its thanks to a mid-life crisis, years of saving, or daddys money, somehow youve been able to purchase that growling hunk of steamy metal that leaves men gaping and women gasping. But its not for the reasons you think. Its very likely that theyre just wondering why you would suffer the exorbitant insurance rates that come with this ride. Shiny new Sports cars cost more because the demographic that owns Sports cars tends to get more speeding tickets, have more accidents. Also, these expensive, powerful cars attract attention and thieves. SO if youre wondering why your insurance company charges you the obscene amount they do, you have your answer.
Solution:
Easy. Dont buy one unless you can afford the insurance premiums
7.
Mr. Throw caution to the wind
Do you think that safety is for sissies? Well, thats probably why youre paying the astronomical rates you are. Getting what is considered a safe car will lower your interests. The simple acts of installing air bags and anti-theft devices could get you car insurance discounts. So by throwing caution to the wind, youre definitely losing out.
