If it is your aim to get discount auto insurance then you should always compare companies and gather a wide range of quotes.

Thanks to the internet, this whole process is made a lot easier, especially if you use a comparison website or hire an online broker to do all of the hard work for you.

Here are 5 factors to consider when comparing auto insurance:

Type of auto insurance

Before you go any further, it’s essential to understand what type of auto insurance you are looking for. As an example, there is third party insurance, third party and theft insurance, and fully comprehensive insurance. Don’t start comparing auto insurance until you know exactly what you want, as this helps to narrow down your search.

Insurance bundle deal

Did you know that many insurance companies now offer bundle deals to help you get huge discounts? This means that if you were to bundle your home, travel, life, health, and auto insurance together, then you would probably be looking at saving hundreds of dollars every single year. Don’t start comparing auto insurance until you take this into consideration.

Ask for a discount

If you are thinking of jumping ship and swimming away from your current auto insurance provider, then before you start comparing quotes offered by other companies you might want to ask for a discount. Simply tell them you are looking elsewhere because the current policy is too expensive, and you might be surprised to find them offering you a discount to try and persuade you to stay as a customer.

It’s not always about the price

While getting cheap auto insurance is important (especially in this economy), you must understand that it’s not always about the price. As an example, you could sacrifice a lot excess in order to keep your premiums low, but if you happen to be involved in an accident then you will have to pay a lot more out of your own pocket. Definitely something to think about.

Customer service

Something that not many people think about is the level of customer service offered by an auto insurance company. Let’s say that you have just been involved in an accident and need to contact the company fast, what happens if you can’t get through to anybody? Many of the cheaper insurance companies do not make customer service a main priority, so you should keep this in mind when choosing a provider.

In the majority of States, it is illegal to drive a vehicle without car insurance. However, this doesn’t mean you have to pay over the odds for your insurance, as there are many ways to get cheap deals and save yourself a small fortune.

Below are the facts about getting cheap car insurance:

Shop around

The best way to obtain cheap car insurance is to find as many free car insurance quotes as you can. Don’t fall into the trap of picking the first company that you come across, as this is a surefire way to end up paying too much.

The easiest way to shop around is through a dedicated comparison website. Simply enter your details, click a button, and in under a minute you will have many different car insurance quotes to choose from. It is then a simple task of selecting the cheapest quote.

Look for discounts

Another way to get cheap car insurance is to look for discounts. While not widely advertised, car insurance companies offer discounts, which is why you need to put in the work to uncover these gems.

As an example, if you do a little digging around online, then you might be able to find some discount codes or vouchers that can be used to reduce the cost of your premiums.

Also, consider taking an advanced driving course to qualify for discounted car insurance. At the end of the day, car insurance companies respect the fact that you have put in the effort to become a safer driver, and they will reward you by offering a discount.

Have a good credit score

Did you know that car insurance companies run a credit check against your name when considering your application.

Unfortunately, when your credit score drops too low, then expect to be offered a quote that is way over the odds, or in the worst case scenario, your application will be rejected.

With this in mind, it’s essential that you maintain a good credit score at all times. How do you achieve this? By always paying bills on time, keeping out of serious debt, and not maxing out your credit cards.

If your credit score is currently a little bit low, then you should seek the advise of a legitimate credit repair company. Not only can they offer you guidance, but they can also work on improving your credit score using their expertise and knowledge.

Tell me more about an extended car warranty?

In a nutshell, an extended car warranty is a contract between a vehicle owner and the warranty company, which covers the vehicle owner for certain repairs that need to be carried out.

Let’s face it, getting mechanical repairs done to your car can be expensive, so in essence, the extended car warranty acts as an insurance policy in case something goes wrong.

How can I find an extended car warranty company?

There are many extended car warranty companies for you to choose from, both online and offline. In recent years, more people have been buying their policies from online companies, as it is usually cheaper.

Before deciding which company to go with, it’s a good idea to look for extended car warranty reviews on third party websites. These websites can give you an unbiased review of the pros and cons of dealing with a particular company.

What does an extended car warranty cover?

Many people assume that an extended car warranty covers “everything,” only to receive a nasty surprise when they need to get some repairs done.

Every contract is different, and there are multiple levels of cover for you to choose from. If you only get a basic level of coverage, then don’t expect the company to pay for larger repair jobs.

Do I really need an extended car warranty?

You are not required by law to have an extended car warranty. In fact, many people don’t bother with it, preferring to pay for repairs themselves if the need arises.

At the end of the day, this is a decision that you will have to make for yourself. As an example, if you car is old and has a low value, then it is probably not worth taking out an extended car warranty policy, as it would work out cheaper to just buy a new car if major repairs were needed.

Do I need an extended car warranty if I buy a new car?

In the majority of cases, no. If you are buying a new car from a dealership, then there is usually an extended car warranty included in the price.

You still need to check the level of coverage on offer, and also find out how long the policy lasts for. Typically, you will be covered for the first few years that you own the car before you have to arrange for a new policy.

When you think of expensive car insurance, you might say that it only applies to young drivers and people with flashy sports cars. Surely if you have been driving for years and have an impeccable driving record, that should entitle you to cheap auto insurance rates, right? Wrong!

In fact, there is a growing trend of car insurance companies charging premium prices for senior citizens, while younger people are laughing all the way to the bank with discounts and special offers.

At the end of the day, this just isn’t fair, and it should be senior citizens who get all the advantages.

Not all is lost though, as there are ways to get cheap car insurance for seniors. Read on to find out more…

Visit a website

There are some websites out there that understand the challenges senior citizens face in getting cheap car insurance, and are committed to helping you every step of the way. There are some sites that work hard at getting the cheapest quotes possible, no matter what your age.

Defensive driving

Another way to get cheap car insurance for seniors is to enroll in a defensive driving course. These courses are widely available, and are a proven way to reduce your insurance rates.

One of the main risk factors with senior citizens is that could be suffering from hearing, vision, or reaction time problems, which is why insurance companies are charging higher rates.

By taking one of these defensive driving courses, you are proving to the car insurance company that you are lower risk.

Lower annual mileage

If you are recently retired and not driving to a job everyday, then you might want to check the annual mileage estimate currently on your insurance policy.

Because you probably are not using your car as much, this means you can lower the mileage estimate and make some savings. In fact, by having a lower mileage, you can usually save a lot of money per year on your car insurance policy.

Safety equipment

Something else that car insurance companies take into consideration is safety equipment. If you do not currently have any safety equipment installed in your car, then it’s a good idea to do so right away, as this can end up saving you money on your insurance in the long run.

Things such as airbags, side impact airbags, GPS tracking, and anti-lock brakes are all useful products to have, and can save you hundreds on your insurance policy.