5 Tips for Saving a Bundle on Car Insurance...

      Do you remember the last time you shopped for auto insurance?  If you can’t remember, chances are you’re paying too much.  Insurance rates vary from category-to-category and from year-to-year.  Unless you shop frequently, you could easily be paying double for the very same coverage.  Here are five helpful tips you can use to cut insurance costs:

Shop Around.  Most consumers seek insurance quotes from just one or two companies.  To get the best rates, check at least four companies or agents.  You can make comparisons at www.insweb.com.  

Consider A Higher Deductible.  Ask your agent to give you several deductible scenarios and compare the costs of each.  Consumer Reports magazine reports that most people have a $250 deductible on collision and comprehensive.  And that’s too low, given today’s repair costs.  A $1,000 deductible, for example, you can save as much as 30 percent on collision and comprehensive.

Consider Your Car’s “Profile.”  Choose a safe car by checking safety records from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at www.iihs.org.   A sports car will cost considerably more to insure than a family sedan.  Drive a car that costs less to begin with, costs less to repair, and is less popular with thieves.   

Ask For Discounts.  Most consumers are unaware of the many discounts available to them.  The Insurance Information Institute, at www.iii.org lists many discounts you may not know about. 

Drive Safely.  This sounds obvious, but insurers give better rates if you’ve had no moving violations in the past three years.  Without a doubt, it pays to stay alert while driving.