Insurance companies are not quite the same animal as banks and
lenders. They have no interest in income and credit histories, but
instead are interested in what is being insured. When seeking cheap car
insurance quotes, for example, they want to know your neighborhood, the
age of the car, the frequency with which it is used and your driving
history.
Without a doubt, information is the key to the terms an
insurance company will offer. What this means is that the right
information will translate to great savings on insurance premiums, and
lets face it, securing low rates is the basic motivation for everyone.
But
what are the measures that consumers can take to lower the cost of
their car insurance? Searching for the right deal is only part of it,
the information provided in the application form is also influential.
Location, Use and Users
Your
location is one of the aspects that insurers are interested in. The
reason is that the neighborhood a car owner lives in can have a bearing
on the risk of theft or damage, for example. So, when seeking cheap car
insurance quotes, highlight the area that is being lived in if it is a
statistically safe area.
Another factor is the frequency with
which the vehicle is typically used. For example, if the vehicle is to
be used for work, then it is likely to be used every day and (possibly)
for long periods of the day. This means an extended period of time on
the road, and therefore a greater vulnerability to traffic accidents.
Securing low rates is easier if the car is to be used infrequently.
A
third area to provide details on is who the users will be, specifically
the principal driver. This might seem strange, but many car insurance
policies include discounts for female drivers. So, if the lady of the
house is named as the principal driver, the premium will be lower.
Car Details
Of
course, the vehicle itself is extremely important when hoping to secure
cheap car insurance quotes. The smallest details can actually have an
effect on the size of the premium, so careful consideration should be
given to taking several measures.
For example, the security of the
vehicle is highly influential. So, it is possible to lower the premium
by investing in additional security features, like improved central
locking system, steering wheel immobilizers and better car alarm. Such
details make securing low rates pretty easy.
Another feature that
should be detailed (and always truthfully) is whether or not there have
been any accidents in the recent past. Most car insurance policies have a
staggered charges structure for those who have made claims. A claim
made a year ago will mean a higher premium than if a claim was made
three years ago. Usually, claims made five years ago or more are
ignored.
Online Insurance Deals
Shopping
for cheap car insurance quotes really means taking to the Internet,
since the best deals are to be found there. The growth of comparison
websites mean that it is now easy to compare the best offers from the
leading insurers, but it is always necessary to look at the details
closely before making a decision. The policy positioned at the top of
the list is not necessarily the best.
Securing low rates might
require more than just a quick glance, but it is equally important to
spend some time checking the reputation of online insurance companies
too. Use the BBB website to do so and, when satisfied with the quality
of the company, then consider their car insurance offers.
