How can I save money on auto insurance?
There are many things you can do to make sure you’re getting the best premium possible. • Research before buying. Learn what cars are the least expensive to insure. MetLife Auto & Home offers discounts for cars that have antitheft devices, air bags, and antilock brakes, for example. MetLife Auto & Home can give you free, no-obligation quotes on any cars you’re considering purchasing; just call us with the VINs of the vehicles you’re interested in buying. • Take advantage of MetLife Auto & Home’s multi-policy discounts, which provides discounts on certain coverages when you purchase two or more policies, such as auto and homeowners. • Increase your deductible. • Maintain a good driving record. • Maintain a good credit rating. • Take a driver safety course.
The price you pay for your auto insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending what type of car you have and the insurance company you buy your policy from. Here are some ways to save money. Shop around Prices vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or access information on the Internet. Your state insurance department may also provide comparisons of prices charged by major insurers. Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Some sell through their own agents. These agencies have the same name as the insurance company. Some sell through independent agents who offer policies from several insurance companies. Other companies sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the Internet. But don’t shop by price alone. You want a company that answers your questions and handles claims fairly and efficiently. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations. Contact your state insurance d
To lower your auto insurance premium, first consider raising your deductible. If you have a low deductible and get in a small accident, you’re usually better off paying for the damage yourself rather than reporting it to the insurance company and have your rates go up. So why not just raise your deductible, perhaps to $1,000, and save yourself some money? If you have an older car, consider dropping your collision insurance. See if you qualify for any discounts. If you have more than one car — or your car and home — insured by the same company, you should get discounts. Some offer discounts if you are a member of certain organizations, a senior citizen, or have certain safety features on your car. If possible, choose a car that costs less to insure. Family cars like minivans are usually cheaper to insure than sports cars, but premiums also depend on a model’s repair costs and how often it is stolen. For a list of the 10 most and 10 least expensive cars to insure, see http://info.insur
