Car insurance is not just a legal requirement, but an important document that shields you from potentially huge financial costs. It is a safety net while you drive on the road. Having a car insurance policy means you have a contract with your insurer; you pay a premium and in return, they cover your losses in case of accidents or theft.
If you understand the basics of insurance policies, you can craft your car insurance to suit your needs and help keep your premiums low while enjoying complete protection. These simple tips and tricks should help you save next time you are renewing your policy, or searching for a new one.
Better Driving History Lowers Premiums
The biggest impact on insurance costs comes from your driving history. This is why new drivers pay a lot more than drivers who have one, two, or more years of experience on the road, provided they have not made any insurance claims. Drivers with fewer or no accidents on their record are less risky, which leads to lower premiums.
When you are behind the wheel, you have an opportunity to prove to insurers that you are a responsible driver. Make sure you adhere to traffic rules, that you never speed, and that you never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Insurance companies often offer discounts to drivers with clean records, known as a ‘no claims bonus’. Your good driving habits can literally pay off. It is a long-term strategy, but patience and consistency can lead to significant savings on your car insurance premiums while keeping your coverage optimal.
Tracking Your Driving
Technology can help drivers reduce their insurance costs. Many insurers will reduce policy costs for new drivers and experienced drivers if they install GPS trackers and vehicle monitoring systems. These trackers can provide them with real-time data about your driving, including your speed, the severity of your braking, and the amount of time you spend driving.
A Thatcham GPS Tracker is an insurance approved GPS Tracker that drivers can install to help lower costs. Rewire Security offers professional installation of these approved insurance GPS Trackers to help drivers save on insurance and make their cars more secure. It is not just your insurer who can track the vehicle, but you too. In cases of theft, an insurance tracker can be a valuable tool, helping you find out where your car is and directing the authorities to it.
By demonstrating safe driving habits through your tracker’s data, you could potentially lower your insurance premiums. Though this can feel like driving with a driving instructor sitting in the passenger seat, grading your driving skills and awareness, it can massively reduce your insurance costs, especially for new drivers.
Never Stop Learning
Advanced driving courses can reduce your insurance costs by a considerable amount. Insurance companies value these courses highly. Why? Because they understand that drivers who have completed these courses are less likely to be involved in accidents. This reduced risk often translates into lower insurance premiums.
These courses are an investment in your driving skills. The cost of the course will be offset by the savings you make on your insurance policies. You also get the added benefit of being a more skilled driver. Consider an advanced driving course as not a cost, but a step towards safety and savings.
Good Credit Scores Reduce Insurance Premiums
Many drivers are completely unaware that credit scores impact their car insurance premiums. Insurers will use a credit based insurance score to help determine your ability to cover insurance costs and how likely you are to make an insurance claim in the future.
Having a good credit score demonstrates that you are consistent and practice responsible financial behaviour. It shows you are able to pay your bills on time and do not take on excessive levels of debt. Not all insurers use credit scores to evaluate risk. If you are unsure whether your credit score affects your insurance premiums, it is worth asking your insurer for clarification.
Though maintaining good credit may seem unrelated to driving, it is a key factor in keeping your car insurance premiums low. This is another example of how responsible behaviour can lead to significant savings.
Keeping your car insurance premiums down while maintaining robust coverage is a multifaceted task. It involves understanding the basics of car insurance, maintaining a clean driving record, choosing the right vehicle, and leveraging modern technology like GPS trackers.
Taking advanced driving courses, preserving your no-claims discount, and maintaining a good credit score can all contribute to lower premiums. Taking these steps helps to ensure your financial protection in case of an accident and also promotes safer driving habits, saving you money, time, and stress.
