3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Insurance without a Major Accident

Many drivers will unfortunately be involved in a couple of major accidents at various points throughout their lives, but these incidents may be spread out across many years or even decades in some cases. 

During this time in between major car accidents, you may pay your auto insurance premium regularly without getting substantial benefit from it. The reality is that you do not need to be involved in a major accident to take advantage of some of your coverage benefits. 

In fact, these are some of the car insurance perks that you may have access to and that you may not be using when the opportunity arises.

Towing Service

Most people think about using towing service reimbursement through their auto insurance policy when they are in an accident and their car can no longer be driven. 



However, towing service may be available through some policies for other needs as well. For example, depending o the wording in your coverage, you may be able to use towing service if your car breaks down and is no longer able to be driven because of a serious repair issue. 

The availability of this coverage varies, so you should read the fine print in your policy.

Roadside Assistance

Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance service as well. You may not think about turning to your auto insurance coverage when you need help changing a tire or when you need a jump for a dead battery. 

However, roadside assistance may be available to you around the clock in any location. More than that, it may be free of additional cost through your coverage, and it may be an easy solution to stressful situations that may be overlooked by many drivers.

Personal Property Coverage

Some drivers have paid for optional personal property coverage. This is coverage that reimburses you if items inside the vehicle are damaged or stolen. For example, if someone breaks into your car and steals your laptop and other expensive items, you can file a personal property insurance claim to be reimbursed for your loss. 

Some insurers like Crowel Agency, Inc. offer these coverages for home in addition to auto.

Getting reimbursed for expenses associated with a major car accident is one of the most common reasons why drivers file an auto insurance claim, but this is not the only reason to file a claim. 

Each insurance policy may have different types of coverage as well as varying limits, deductible amounts and more. By reviewing and understanding your coverage now, you can take advantage of its many benefits when the ability arises to do so.

Five Surprising Things That Can Cause Insurance to Rise

Insurance premiums are at an all-time high, especially for vehicles, so here are a few causes that aren't always considered by consumers that might be increasing the cost, without your knowledge. These are applicable for everyone, whether you are looking for regular car insurance, right through to business van insurance.

Turning 50

Believe it or not it’s not only youngsters that get penalized for stereotypes surrounding their age. Statistically, people in the 50 plus age bracket are more likely to have road accidents than other demographics, so premiums are totted up accordingly. Shop around to ensure you’re not paying over the odds for your age; some companies will price match, so speak up and ask your provider if that’s a possibility. 

Credit rating

Most insurance companies will run some form of background check before agreeing to offer you cover and your credit rating is often the first of these. If you happen to have any missed mortgage repayments, credit card charges, or broken payment contracts, then the cost of your insurance is probably going to suffer as a result. This should be a consideration when deliberating whether to apply for another new credit card.

Vehicles power

This is where companies are really making their money. If you happen to own a farm and drive a vehicle suitable for use on that farm, such as a high powered four by four, your insurance will rocket, even though technically you need such a vehicle. You will also find that may insurance providers will not cover this type of vehicle. Where possible, be sensible with what you ‘need’, rather than what you want and be assured you will pay a sensible price.

Security

Security may seem obvious, but it isn't considered by many motorists and it is a hugely influential factor. This includes where you park your vehicle when at work and home, as well as whether it has an alarm. If you go all out with security measures as well as storage (even if that means hiring garage space), you will probably find there is a drop in your annual insurance fee. 

Payment method

Most insurance providers reward customers that pay annually rather than monthly, so it’s always worth asking for a price for a year as well as the price for monthly installments when inquiring. Save bits and bobs of cash where possible throughout the year, to make this one off payment less of a shock.

How to Choose The Right Car Insurance

When it comes to selecting a car insurance provider, it is important to compare and assess the many factors that are in play. It can be daunting to sort out all of the factors as each company claims to give the most discounts, the best rates, and the best customer care or perks. Selecting which company to go with can involve abundant amounts of research, but not many people know what to look for. 

FindTheBest, an unbiased, data-driven comparison search engine, has developed some tools that may help you with your car insurance search. This post will breakdown some of the most important factors used to compare car insurance companies and will educate you on how to select the best fit for you. Please feel free to test out the interactive tools included below, as they can help you narrow down your search results and create side-by-side comparisons for insurance companies that fit your needs best.

Car Insurance

Comparison Factors 

1. What You’re Currently Paying 

Although it may seem obvious, it is easy to overlook what you’re paying now and exactly why you are paying that amount. This should be your first step in selecting a new auto insurance provider. Understanding your rate is essential to buying car insurance. Every year your car insurance company sends out a comprehensive policy breakdown that shows what you’re paying and what you’re getting for your money. If you do not know where this document is, you can request a copy from your insurance agent. This step is essential in your hunt for a new car insurance provider and will help lead you in the right direction to what you are ultimately looking for. 

2. Amount of Coverage You Actually Need 

You now understand what you are currently paying for, but what coverage do you really need? You must answer question like, how much is your car actually worth? How much do you drive? Do you have long commutes or can you walk to work? Car insurance covers more than the cost of the car, it covers liability such as medical fees and legal fees. It is also important to understand the deductible. A higher deductible can be a headache if you actually get in an accident, but can eventually save you money long-term. If you rarely get into accidents, it would be wise to lower your premium and set aside funds for emergencies to cover the deductible. 

3. Hidden Fees 

Insurance agents will tell you all about the great discounts you can receive, but rarely do they divulge the hidden fees. These fees require a little more research than usual. Car insurance providers tend to charge you more if your marital status is either single or divorced. The easiest way to identify these fees is to run a free quote, and then running a second free quote with a changed marital status. If the quote is different, you know there is a hidden fee. Other examples of hidden fees include, the type of car you drive, where you live, where you work, and your credit rating. 

4. Best Deals Offered 

FindTheCoupons, a FindTheBest site, was created to make your life easier. Finding a coupon for car insurance should take no longer than a few seconds of your time. FindTheCoupon can help you find great deals on car insurance companies and will further assist you in finding the best fit for your next provider. This resource will allow you find affordable car insurance and provides user reviews for the coupons offered. 

5. The Car You Drive

Cars Ratings and Reviews

One of the biggest factors that car insurance companies consider when determining your rate is the type of car you drive. It is often assumed that your rate is correlated to the value of your car, but it is also related to how likely your car will inflict damage on another vehicle, or how likely your car is to get stolen. 

Other factors include how safe your car is and how much repair costs would amount to. It might be wise to keep this in mind when shopping for your next car. Some car insurance sites provide lists of cars and how much they cost to insure them. As long as you do your research on safety ratings you should be in the clear. 

It is always smart to consult with your agent if you need any questions answered. Searching for your car insurance provider can be a tricky topic and with the tools and tips provided in this post, you will be able to find and compare the best insurance options available.