Lowering Car Insurance Costs?

Petal · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2005, 04:29 PM

Anybody know any tips on how to lower car insurance payments? I think I once saw an online course that you could take (some kind of safe driving course) that would lower your insurance bill.

We're in Colorado and use Geico.

Anybody?

mjrube94 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-29-2005, 07:47 PM

1) Shop around, every single year, and call at least 3 different places.
2) Check different affiliations (alumni associations, corporate connections, etc.) to see if they have any agreements with certain companies.
3) The usual: use the same company as your house insurance, raise deductibles, drop collision on older vehicles.
4) VIN # etching can usually knock off a few bucks (call your insurance company first to see if they discount for it, then call your police department to see if they'll do this).
5) Ask if you get a discount for prepaying the year upfront.
6) Call your insurer and ask what other discounts may be available. Have you been with the same place for years with no claims? If so, tell them that you're concerned with the high price, don't want to switch but may be forced to look around, blah blah blah and see what they come back with.

jeffrey · #3 (**permalink**) 09-29-2005, 07:55 PM

<A HREF="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45">This article</A> may be of help - it has a list of a number of features that auto insurers may give discounts for.

CRFSaver · #4 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005, 07:33 AM

All I know is I got a ticket in February (Stupid Virginia State Troopers, cant wait to get back to Cali) so I am waiting for Geico to either drop me or jack my rate up to crazy numbers...

34saving · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005, 07:49 AM

CRF -- If it's simple (not REALLY over) speeding they might never find out. Just don't try to switch

Also, if you go to court and pay more, many times you can plea bargain to keep it off your record.

CRFSaver · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2005, 08:04 AM

Here is the deal. It was 10 over the speed limit. I couldnt go to court as my registration and plates are out of Illinois cause of the screwy way Virginia does car registration I keep it registered at my parents in Illinois. Cheaper and easier that way. So I didnt want to go into court and have them ask how long I lived here and why did I still have Illinois plates.

Add on top of that I still have my California drivers license and not a Virginia license. Can you tell I dont plan to stay here long term. In fact just got a job offer back in Cali so glad I kept my license. Either way I couldnt go to court with those two things and hear, you lived hear a year and a half and havent changed it?