For many of us who have been hit hard by the downturn in the economy, driving a car has become very difficult to pay for. Gasoline prices are skyrocketing and so are the costs involved in maintaining the vehicle and repairing it when necessary. Many of us are on the border when it comes to being able to afford to drive. Therefore, every penny counts. If you’re on a tight budget, car insurance rates could make a difference in whether or not driving will be affordable for you. Follow these steps to ensure the lowest rates.
1) Drive safely. If you have any blemishes in your driving record, your auto policy premiums could skyrocket. Many times, a small ticket can make coverage unaffordable. Make sure you drive safely and follow the rules of the road. However, if you are unlucky enough to get a ticket, it may be worth contesting it to keep your record clean. This is, of course, if you feel you were right.
2) Choose the highest deductible. To make your monthly or yearly payments affordable, choose the highest deductible amount offered. The difference in your rates will be significant.
3) Buy a cheap car. Keep in mind that the more expensive and valuable the car you own, the more it will cost to insure. Plus, the more likely your car is to be stolen, the more you’ll pay to insure it. If you haven’t bought your car yet, check out the current list of the most frequently stolen cars and be sure to steer clear of any of them.