How To Get Cheap Car Insurance In California

There are several ways to get cheap car insurance in California. Possibly the absolute best way to keep your auto insurance costs down is to maintain a good driving record.

Low Cost Car Insurance

That little speeding ticket or that unpaid parking ticket may seem like small things but can actually add up to be big ones when it comes to your personal auto insurance policy’s cost. The worst is having even one DUI – I could write a book about that but suffice it to say – don’t drink and drive. Period.

Pick out a designated driver who is responsible enough to drink only water, pitch in with your friends and take a taxi or even a limo on occasion or drink at home if you know you definitely will not drive.

Finding Cheap Car Insurance

Below are just some of the top things to consider when searching for cheap car insurance in California.

1.) Before you buy a new or used vehicle, do your research and compare what your automobile insurance rates will be on each on your favorite choices. Car insurance premiums are based partly on the car’s sticker price, its overall safety records, costs to repair it and how likely it is to be a car’s "theft of choice".

Many insurance companies offer discounts for features that can help reduce the risk of theft or damage such as daytime running lights and anti-theft devices. To help with your decision making on which car to buy go to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety web site.

2.) Shop around. Insurance rates in state of California are different with each insurance company so it is important to do some shopping around to find best auto insurance quotes and not just listen to the top commercials on TV for the best rates (think little green creature with an accent for one!)

You can either call different companies directly or do an online search or both. Also utilizing comparison web sites for free online quotes is a fast way to find cheap car insurance in California.

Your insurance is there to protect you and your family thus it is vital to choose a company that is stable financially. Do your homework on the financial well-being of auto insurance companies by using rating companies such as Standard and Poor’s and A.M. Best.

Don’t do all the shopping for prices alone. Although finding low cost car insurance is important, ask relatives and friends who they personally recommend. You can even ask your individual state insurance department whether or not they will be willing to provide information on complaints made by consumers regarding the auto insurance companies you are considering. Pick a company or agent that takes the time to listen and answer all of your questions thoroughly.

3.) Ask about higher deductibles. Deductibles are simply what you are required to pay out of your pocket before your insurance company pays. By asking about higher deductibles you can lower your costs by quite a bit. For one example, by increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 you could reduce the cost of your comprehensive and collision coverage by as much as 15-30%. Increasing to as much as a $1,000 deductible could save you 40% or even more.

However, before you agree to a higher deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside should you have an accident and need to file a claim and come up with that amount of money.

4.) Cut back on coverage on older vehicles. This has personally saved me an incredible amount of money just recently when I went over my current auto insurance plan with a very knowledgeable agent. By changing just one simple part of my plan, my 6 months’ premium was literally cut in half!

Automobile dealerships and banks can tell you the actual worth of your older vehicle. When it is time to renew your auto insurance, be certain to go over the plan with someone who not only knows what they are talking about but are also honest. Many people have far too much liability coverage and/or coverage for things they really do not necessarily require, especially if the vehicle is ten years old or even older.

5.) Buy your auto insurance and your home insurance (or renters’ insurance if living in an apartment complex) from the same insurance company. Many insurers will cut you a deal if you have more than just one type of insurance through them, and sometimes if you have more than one vehicle insured. There are even some insurance companies that will give deals for long-standing customers.

If you or someone in your family was in the military or is currently active, there are also companies such as USAA that serves the military and their families for their insurance needs. Take time to really do your homework once you have narrowed your choices down to the top three or so companies to get cheap car insurance in California.