How to save money on car insurance in New York

Car insurance is a fact of life for drivers. Laws regarding the type and amount of car insurance required vary from state to state. However, one thing is true no matter where a driver lives: Not having car insurance will end up being far more expensive than paying for a policy.

When it comes to car insurance rates, all states are not created equal. New York is one of the most expensive states in the country when it comes to car insurance policies. Finding an affordable policy can seem daunting. Fortunately, everyone can use some easy tips to get the best price possible no matter where they live. Here are some ways all New Yorkers can position themselves for the best car insurance policy at the best price.

Get Multiple Quotes

It is always good to do a little research about insurers and compare car insurance quotes before purchasing a policy. Comparing insurance offers can save big bucks and also result in better coverage. Many variables go into calculating a person’s premium, and each company does the calculations a little bit differently.

Speeding tickets, accidents, the age of the driver, and whether they live in an urban or suburban area all can have a negative impact on car insurance rates. But companies rate these things differently, so the rate from one company can be drastically lower than another.

When gathering quotes from different car insurance companies, it’s important to also keep in mind customer service and the professionalism of the insurance company. Some companies are more popular in one region than another. Allstate insurance reviews are a great example of how customer satisfaction can vary by region.

Explore All Discounts

Ask about all of the discounts the car insurance company offers. Young people especially have a hard time getting cheaper car insurance rates. They should check out companies like Travelers. Travelers has a reputation for offering great discounts to younger drivers. Travelers’ insurance reviews are mostly positive, and it has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Many car insurance companies offer similar discounts, but they may not offer the same discount rate. Students might get a higher discount from State Farm, and other companies like GEICO could offer better multi-car discounts. It pays to go through each and every discount a car insurance company offers to see if it applies.

Defensive Driving Course

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles has approved a defensive driving course offered by the New York Safety Council. People can enroll themselves and complete the course, then notify their insurance company. Many companies will give a huge discount on the car insurance policy for drivers who complete this course.

Taking a defensive driving course is a great skills refresher. It helps drivers to learn techniques to avoid accidents even if other drivers are unsafe. Learning defensive skills helps to avoid accidents and a potential premium reduction. This, coupled with a defensive driving course discount, can mean big savings every month.

Choosing the Deductible

People who have good driving records and haven’t had accidents in a while might want to consider a policy with a higher deductible. A higher deductible will make the policy payments lower and can lead to significant savings.

Of course, if an accident does happen, a high deductible can feel like a huge out-of-pocket expense. But one way to mitigate this is to set aside a little bit of the savings every month from choosing the higher deductible.

People who do not have any accidents on their driving records are excellent candidates for higher deductibles. They can also combine this tip with taking a defensive driving course. A course like this can further decrease their risk of a future accident and increase savings.

Insurance Savings Savvy

With a little homework and planning, car insurance buyers can ensure they are protecting themselves and their cars while also saving their hard-earned money. People should also consider the kind of customer service and claim settlement that each company provides. One way to do this is to check out reviews from other customers. While these reviews are not the only thing a potential customer should rely on, they can help them determine the right mix of service and discount.

New York is one of the more expensive states on average when it comes to car insurance. But savvy shoppers can beat the average and get the great coverage they need without blowing their budget. Taking a little time upfront can lead to major financial benefits in the long term.