How to Get Discount Auto Insurance
by Penny M. Hagerman
Finding the cheapest auto policy used to take some time. But these days, insurance shopping is faster than ever before. Gone are the days of looking through the phone book for the right agent. Though some insurance professionals advertise offline, many now choose to offer discount auto insurance through services like ours online.
That makes it easier to find the right automobile insurance provider—and allows shoppers to get the lowest auto quotes by making agents compete for their business.
We've all read about ways to find discounts on auto insurance, right? But beyond choosing higher deductibles and maintaining good driving records, many people have never heard of some lesser-known discounts many insurers offer—regardless of the type of automobile driven.
Lesser-Known Discounts
- Select Driver Discount: If all drivers on the policy have more than five years of driving experience; have not had their license suspended or revoked in the last three years, and have not had a major automobile violation or more than one moving auto violation (including at-fault accidents) in the past 3 years, this discount may be applied.
- Double Deductible Discount: When purchasing discount collision and comprehensive coverage, an extra discount may apply when electing to have the deductibles "doubled" during the initial 45 days of the auto policy's period.
- Payment Plan Discount: Some insurance companies offer money off to those willing to pay auto premiums in full up front, or even quarterly. Doing so saves processing time and paperwork.
- Transfer Discount: For those who've previously held liability insurance through a different auto insurance company during the past six months, some insurers offer special discounts when transferring a policy over to them.
- Affinity Discount: For those who are members of certain qualifying organizations, an extra discount up to three percent may be available on auto policies.
- Passive Occupant Restraint Discount: An automobile with full front-seat airbags or restraint devices that work automatically when your door closes may qualify for additional savings.
- Carpool and Public Transportation Discount: Because using these means of transportation reduces a car's annual mileage, auto insurance companies often reward drivers who carpool or take public transportation lower rates.
- Farm or Ranch Vehicle Discount: For those who are full-time farmers or ranchers and are insuring a farm or ranch vehicle used exclusively for work on the property, this bonus could help keep costs down.
Though not available through all insurers, these unique discounts can really stack up when it comes to comparing policies and getting low rates.
