Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes - Tips For Getting The Lowest Rate

Finding auto insurance quotes online is easy, but finding the cheapest auto insurance rates can be more of a challenge. To get the lowest quotes, follow these tips to help you find ways to trim possibly hundreds off your auto insurance quotes.
1. Give them details – If you don’t provide information about your zip code, marital status, car’s safety features, and annual commuting miles, by default insurance companies will quote you a higher auto insurance rate. Provide as much detail as possible to make sure you get each discount that you qualify for.
2. Shop around – Auto insurance rates can vary as much as 300% between companies for the same coverage. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by comparing prices between companies. Don’t forget to check out your current insurance company, they may have lower rates for new customers that you may be able to negotiate for yourself.
3. Raise your deductible – Higher deductibles equal lower insurance premiums. For example, increasing your deductible from $250 to $500, can save you a hundred dollars or more on your annual premium. However, plan on having additional financial resources to cover the deductible in case of an accident.
4. Cut the miles you drive – For drivers who travel on average 40 miles or less a day, they qualify for a low mileage discount with most insurance companies. Consider carpooling or taking public transit a couple of days a week to reduce your car’s mileage to qualify for the discount. By flying or taking a train for vacations instead of driving, you can further reduce the miles on your car.
5. Switch drivers – For married couples, compare insurance quotes between the male as the main driver and the female as the main driver. You may get a lower quote if the female is insured on a truck and the male is insured on the minivan. Teens should also be insured on safer cars such as the family sedan, rather than a sports car.
6. Add an anti-theft device – By installing car alarms or a tracking system in your car, you will get a discount from auto insurance companies. Since anti-theft devices reduce the risk of your car being stolen, insurance companies pass on the savings to you. A certified defensive-driving class can also reduce your premium for three years with most insurance companies.

How To Shop For Auto Warranties

Shopping for auto warranties can be difficult if you don't know how to evaluate the auto warranty contract. One of the reasons car warranties get a bad rap is that people buy them without reading the contract. Then, when a repair isn't covered, their naturally upset. Yes, unscrupulous companies will take advantage of a buyer who doesn't read the contract before buying.
All auto warranty contracts are divided into several sections and while the format may vary, they all contain the same information. If all the information isn't in the document, it's not likely a contract, but a sales brochure. Be certain that you're given the actual warranty contract and not an abbreviated version.
Most auto warranty contacts will have at least the following sections: Definitions, Terms and Conditions, Coverage, Filing a Claim, Service Department Guidelines, Cancellation Procedure, and Exclusions.
Each section is important and you need to be able to determine if a section is favorable or not. After reviewing each section for the critical elements, you can make a decision with full confidence. Avoiding scams and getting the best auto warranty is doable if you are an educated shopper. With an understanding of auto warranty contracts, there's no reason to depend solely on what you're told by a salesman.
One of several sections of the auto warranty contract is the Definitions Section, which I'll discuss here.
In this section you'll find the term "failure" and/or "mechanical breakdown". Warranties providing less coverage only pay for mechanical breakdown . These extended auto warranties define mechanical breakdown as a defect in parts and workmanship of the manufacture's supplied part, or a defect that makes the part unable to perform the function for which it was designed. It's reasonable to believe that if a part was poorly manufactured, it will break within the first few years when the vehicle is still under the factory warranty. The broadest auto warranty coverage will also pay for a failure of a part. Parts needing replacement because they've worn out are covered if your extended auto warranty includes failure coverage. Usually defined as: "a failure will be deemed to have occurred when a covered part has worn beyond the manufacturer's tolerances". Mechanical breakdown extended warranties will not cover repairs needed because a part's performance has gradually deteriorated because of normal wear and tear, unless a mechanical breakdown has occurred first.
Companies that don't offer you an extended auto warranty that includes coverage for a failure are certainly not a major player and others only provide failure coverage to 50,000 miles on the odometer.
Considering as much as 25% of all repairs needed are because of wear-and-tear failures, this auto warranty coverage is important. Extended auto warranties without wear-and-tear coverage are often priced the same as those that include it, so be careful and know what you're getting.
Last year there were 37 new companies selling auto warranties and by the end of the year 28 were no longer in business. How do you protect yourself? First, make sure you are buying from a direct seller rather than a broker or car dealership. Buying direct from a warranty company is the best route. There's absolutely no reason to have a middleman involved as they bring no added value to the table and you incur more risk and expense. Second, the length of time they've been selling warranties is important. I recommend at least 10 years. There are many things you can do to protect yourself and get the best car warranty, but it starts with these two things.
For twenty-five years, Tom Andrews sold auto warranties and insurance policies direct to consumers. He knows the difficulties faced by consumers when buying auto warranties and the scams that are waiting for them. Retired, he now writes to inform consumers on how to get their monies' worth and avoid scams.