5 Common Car Insurance Mistakes You’re Making

Purchasing car insurance can be a rough experience, but you shouldn’t settle for a poor insurance policy. It is important to find the best balance of car insurance. It is mandatory to get an insurance cover if you own a car because it caters for costs incurred during repairs or theft. Without a proper check, you could be paying high premiums for car insurance, which could be reduced. If your premium rates are high, you need to ensure you are not making these five common mistakes.   

1. Failing to shop around

When you renew or add a new car to your insurance policy, it is vital to compare your insurance company and other insurers’ rates. It is important to shop around every few years the rates tend to change regularly. This allows you to switch to cheaper policy rates or even find other policies with discounts. Shopping around won’t take you much time, but you might save a lot of money. Some customers find that their rates can drop by several thousand or hundred dollars. Luckily, if you get a better deal, carry out your research to ensure it has the same coverage. There are plenty of cheap full coverage insurance plans out there, so take a little time to shop around. 

2. Going for cheap service

Many people tend to go for the cheapest coverage while purchasing car insurance, but it does provide overall security. You should always opt for comprehensive coverage with some add-ons that suit the car’s safety requirement. Although it might be expensive, it gives you ultimate protection. Most people end up looking for the lowest insurance rates believing that cheaper is better. You will be making a big mistake if you choose your insurance policy based on the money factor. All that matters are the types of coverage and reliability. Your car insurance policy must cover all the major risks. 

3. Giving false information in your paperwork

Some people give the wrong information when they have a poor driving record. You might feel better when you fluff things up a bit, but this might not end well in the long run. The insurance company has underwriters who have the legal authority to check any details that can affect your policy. These are things like credit address and score, driving record, marital status, memberships, and job. So, if you lie about anything, you will still be caught, which could increase your insurance rates by a lot.  

4. Ignoring discounts

When it comes to an insurance policy, it is actually a bad idea to skip discounts that you already qualify for. It would help if you looked out for things like loyalty discounts or good driving discounts. Thing offers can save you a lot of money because you might fail to file a claim during this time, you do not drive often, and have multiple cars on the policy. Additionally, there are discounts for extra safety features on your car, such as automatic locks and car alarm. You can ask the insurance agent to see if you qualify for any discounts to start saving.

5. Having poor deductibles

Policy deductibles have different options that you can choose from. When you have a low deductible, you will be paying more for the insurance every month. Higher deductibles mean you are going to pay lower rates monthly. If you can raise a large amount in case you are involved in an accident, then this is a great way to save money. Having a low deductible might seem an advantage when in an accident, but you usually pay for it at higher premium rates on your collision and liability coverage. 

For you to have a peaceful insurance experience, you need to avoid those mistakes while purchasing car insurance. Look for an insurance company that offers easy and flexible payment terms. Stay updated, knowledgeable, and honest if you have a policy. Ask for clarifications if you don’t understand some things.  

Emily Muelford
Emily is a British writer whose love of car culture is augmented by a fascination with both the European and American automotive markets. Her perspective is uniquely fish and chips.