TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2011
After getting married, most couples' auto insurance premium actually goes down. This is because most insurance companies consider married couples as being more responsible and less risky to insure. However, there are cases when one person in the relationship may have a particularly bad driving record. If your spouse has numerous traffic violations, or has been found to be at fault in previous accidents, then there is a good chance of your insurance rates going up.
While in most cases the overall car insurance rate for both members of the marriage will go down, it may still feel as if the good driver in the family is getting the short end of the stick. Here are a few things you can do to keep your insurance rates low if you tie the knot with a bad driver:
- Now that you are looking for a joint insurance plan, it's the perfect time to reevaluate your current insurance provider. Married couples are an attractive client to many insurance companies. Many companies will try to accommodate you, and try to offer you better plans. You shouldn't necessarily change insurers, especially if you're comfortable with your current provider. Rather, go back to your insurance agent and show him what the competition is offering. Most insurers will be willing to match that price, or help you find ways in which to get the lower rate.
- It's possible to undo the damage of your spouse's bad driving by taking some relatively simple steps. Many insurers offer a rate reduction if your spouse is willing to take a driving course. Something as simple as installing car alarms can lower your insurance rates significantly. In some states, it may only be a matter of time before your spouse's bad driving record stops being an issue. Just waiting for an average of eighteen months can be enough to bring back rates to normal.
- In the worst case scenario, you may just have to exclude your spouse from the family auto insurance plan. However, you should understand that this would mean that your spouse is not insured when driving your car. Instead, purchase a separate insurance policy for your spouse. If your spouse drives an old or relatively cheap car, waiving comprehensive insurance and collision coverage may be the best idea. Most insurance agents will be willing to sit down with you to discuss the best strategy for ensuring both of you get the insurance you need.
By Matt Reynolds - Google+
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