Shopping for auto insurance is like shopping for any major item. It’s a good idea to shop around to find the policy that best meets your needs and budget.
Ask about discounts
Getting discounts is a great way to save. Ask your car insurance company if it offers discounts for:
- Driving fewer miles.
- Maintaining a good driving record.
- Setting up automatic payments and going paperless.
- Signing up for a driving monitoring program.
- Certain occupations or group memberships.
- Good driver discount
Companies see good drivers as less of a risk. You can probably get this discount if you haven’t filed an insurance claim and have a good driving record.- Safe car discount
Cars with more anti-theft devices are less likely to be stolen, which is good for you and your company. If you have anti-theft devices or add them after you buy a policy, tell your company.- Multi-car discount
If you have more than one car on your policy, you’ll probably get a discount. You also might get a discount for having other policies with the same company, like a home or renters policy.- Low-mileage discount
If you don’t drive much, your chances of staying accident-free are better. Let your company know if you work from home or only drive for pleasure.- Good student discount
If you have high school or college students who get good grades, let your company know. Companies often reward good students with a discount.- Your company should sign you up for the discounts you qualify for but ask to make sure they do.
- Look at your deductible
A deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company will pay a claim. Switching to a higher deductible can lower your insurance premium.
But remember, a higher deductible means you’ll pay more out-of-pocket if you do have a claim. Think about how much you can afford to pay if your car is damaged. - Review your coverage
The various coverages in your policy add up to your total premium.- If you have collision coverage on an old car that’s paid off, make sure the car’s value is worth more than what you’re paying for that coverage.
- If you have gap coverage on your car, you can cancel it when you owe less than your what vehicle is worth.
- Tell your insurance company if you’re working from home and no longer driving to work. They might offer a pay-per-mile policy that would save you money.
- Shop around
Companies charge different rates and the company you’re with might have raised your rates. Companies want your business, and you often get discounts as a new customer. Check how much insurance costs before you buy a car. Some types of cars are more expensive to insure.
Remember: A good price is only a bargain if you also get good service. Call the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Help Line at 800-252-3439 to check a company’s complaint record before buying a policy. - Compare rates
- Want to compare car insurance rates and companies? Complete your driver profile to get sample prices and compare policies. Contact your top choices to get quotes.
- Improve your driving and credit scores
- Are you a good driver? Your driving habits could save you money on car insurance.
- What about your credit score? Will it affect your insurance rate? Most insurance companies use your credit history to help them decide whether to sell you insurance and how much it will cost.