7 Auto Discounts You Didn’t Know About

You know about the multi-policy discount, the safe driving school discount, the good student discount, and the safe driver discount, but what about the discounts you might not have heard about? Here are a few of the obscure auto insurance policy discounts that are available by most insurance carriers that might not be advertised upfront, but can definitely save you a bundle.

Monitor driving habits: The latest trend among car insurance companies is to offer discounts to drivers who agree to have their everyday driving habits monitored. State Farm, Allstate and Nationwide all have their own versions of this type of program. Progressive’s program is referred to as the Snapshot program which involves drivers installing a small data recorder in their cars. This little device will track how hard you brake, how far you drive and whether you drive at day or night and adjust your policy accordingly. Allstate’s is also a data recorder which also records your speeds and how often you go above 80MPH.

Join the club: Sometimes being a member of a group or association qualifies you for an additional premium discount. These might include credit unions, fraternities and sororities, university alumni, profession or trade organizations, military, etc. Many large employers offer incentive programs for their companies to choose a certain insurance company over another, so it’s worth asking your Human Resources office if they have any partnerships that might offer discounts. Outside of your employer, you can join an auto club like AAA which gives you discounts in many areas including insurance. The costs of these memberships often pay off quickly. Insurance agents will likely mention the most popular ones and may even have a list of all the associations with discounts, but it’s up to you to ask about them.

Location, location, location: If you have a choice of where to relocate, consider the car insurance premiums. Many discounts are offered in areas where there is a low crime risk and where the likelihood of theft and vandalism are lower. On the other hand, rates are much higher in high-crime areas, leaving the vehicle and insurance companies vulnerable. Do not assume that an area has a low crime rate. Find out the statistics of the area to be certain. This discount is generally automatic, depending on the policyholder’s address.

Drive less: If you’re one of the lucky few who enjoy a short commute, you might also be one of the few to enjoy an insurance discount. The long commutes to and from work can cause car insurance rates to rise but if you live close to the office and drive significantly less than the average American, you might be eligible for a decreased driving or low mileage discount. Consider using public transportation to limit your annual miles.

Be loyal: It is good to check your car insurance quotes from different companies once or twice a year, but don’t forget to factor in the customer loyalty or renewal discount. Some companies will give a discount for every year you stay with them.

Pay upfront: You may be eligible for additional discounts if you agree to pay your auto insurance premium all at once rather than in monthly installments.

Go green to save some green: Several insurance companies are now offering discounts for using electronic or paperless billing. They may also offer discounts for using online bill pay to pay your insurance premium.

When talking with your insurance agent, be sure to ask about every possible discount you might be eligible for. Each discount might only be a few percent here and there, but they all add up to make a huge difference in your monthly budget.

By Matt Reynolds - Google+

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