Who has the best used car insurance?
Purchasing a used car is a smart and practical decision; used cars do not depreciate as quickly as the new versions, allowing the consumer to receive a good deal at the dealership. However, the next step for any used car purchaser is to find car insurance.
How do consumers find the best used car insurance? With so many different companies advertising on a daily basis, the choices can become a blur. Fortunately, there are a number of different strategies to find a great insurance company. In fact, when you are ready to purchase the car insurance, many of these companies have websites that allow you to compare rates online with the simple typing of your ZIP code.
Behavior Discounts
Many used car insurance consumers are young, such as high school age. Are you a good student? A good car insurance company will offer discount incentives based on behavior. For example, if young drivers take their grades and schooling seriously, they will probably be responsible on the road. As long as the grades are high enough, reputable insurance companies should offer some form of discount.
Another form of behavior discount is a loyal customer. For example, you have been with one insurance company for 5 years while insuring your previous car. A good car insurance company for used cars will offer a discount based on loyalty; regardless of the car being insured, the same person is paying the policy faithfully and not submitting any claims. As a result, the used car placed on the policy should have a significant discount for the loyal customer.
Flexible Repair Options
Although many used cars on the road are free from any repair issues, there are some that will malfunction over time. The best used car insurance will allow the consumer to choose among a variety of different repair shops; the consumer should not be forced to use a shop that they do not feel comfortable with only because the insurance company has a contract with that entity.
In addition, used car owners should be able to choose whether they receive a generic or original equipment part for a broken down vehicle. Insurance companies that insist on the cheapest generic part, regardless of the situation, are not keeping their customers’ best interests in mind. If the policy has been paid for the duration of the contract, consumers should be able to decide on the part that works well for them.
Equipment Discounts
Does the used vehicle have air bags or a stolen car tracking device? Good insurance companies for used cars will take these safety equipment features into account when quoting a potential customer. In the event of a crash, air bags will prevent major injury. Alternatively, consumers with a stolen used car housing a tracking device will have an easier time finding the vehicle before it is stripped down for parts. Both of these safety features can lower a monthly insurance premium significantly.
Flexible Deductibles and Coverages
Used cars, based on their age, do not need as much coverage as a new car. In fact, good car insurance companies for used cars will offer many different deductible and coverage choices. Higher deductibles place more risk in the hands of consumers since they will bear the brunt of the repair costs if an accident occurs, but the policy will be more inexpensive. Certain coverages, such as collision and comprehensive, can be deleted completely from a policy with a good insurance company if the car is significantly older.
Consumers should look for insurance companies that have a variety of different deductible levels so they have more flexibility during insurance negotiations. Strict policies with little moving room are indications of insurance companies that look out for themselves, rather than the customers.
Class Discounts
Driving classes are an excellent route to lower rates with a good used car insurance company. Many classes are available throughout local communities that are geared toward certain people. Young and older drivers have separate classes that teach to their age group; good insurance companies will offer discounts based on a successfully completed class.
Refresher classes are also offered, especially for drivers that have received recent tickets for moving violations. After taking the class, a certificate can be sent into the car insurance company for proof of completion and a discount on the policy. Care must be taken with these refresher classes. Drivers that constantly receive tickets and then take the classes will not see a large change in their insurance rates. Risk of accidents increases with moving violation tickets and the insurance company will respond accordingly.
Good used car insurance companies are not difficult to find, but they do need to be researched to find the best match with each consumer. One of the most effective ways to find good insurance is to compare rates online. Certain websites have ZIP code tools. Consumers type in their ZIP number and receive numerous quotes. Each one of these quotes can be read at home, or even taken to a law professional, to verify if it is the right quote for the consumer.
