Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Car Insurance Advice

By Tom Martens

No matter where you are in the world finding insurance that is suitable to your needs is not an impossible task. In shopping for car insurance, you need to know what the policy will cover and what you can do to save on your payments and premiums.

Car insurance comes in three basic types, which are Comprehensive, Third Party, and Third Party Fire and Theft. Third Party pays for damage to other people's property if you cause the accident. Third Party Fire and Theft also covers damages caused by fires and attempted thefts. Comprehensive Cover also includes damages to your own car in an accident that is caused by you.

While Comprehensive Cover costs the most, it also provides the greatest amount of coverage. Most South Africans should probably get this kind of insurance to cover all of the risks that they face. Now how do you get this insurance at the best price? These are ten tips that can reduce the cost of your insurance. Not all of them will work for you, but at least some of them will be effective for everyone.

It's easy to do this research online or through a broker. You can also get a discount if you purchase your policy online. Check with individual companies for this option. First, shop around and compare quotes. You can find substantial savings just by taking this step to educate yourself about your options.

Each policy comes with an minimum excess amount. This is the amount you will be responsible to pay in the event you file a claim. If you can afford it, raise your excess amounts to save money in the long run. Just be sure you can pay the excess when you file a claim.

You may gain lower premium with yyour current insurance company by being a safe driver. Each year that passes in which you don't file a claim you may also be eligible to get better rates with another company.

High performance and expensive car models cost more to insure due to their increased risk profile and expensive replacement parts. Be sure to include your insurance premiums in your car shopping budget. Always consider your insurance costs when you're shopping for a vehicle.

If you live in a high crime area, your premiums will reflect that due to the increased risk of your car being stolen or hijacked. Consider moving, not only for better premiums, but for your own personal safety.

You could get a discount if you park your car in a locked garage or behind locked gates overnight. Keeping your vehicle off the street at night reduces the risk that it will be stolen or damaged, therefore reducing your premium.

Insurance companies tend to require minimum security requirements for insured vehicles. By adding devices like global tracking devices or gearlocks, you can exceed the minimum requirements and be eligible for a discount.

The number of people you let drive your car is also a risk factor. If you keep the number of allowed drivers at a mininmum it helps the insurer calculate your risk factor better in turn lowering your premium.

Do not be timid about bargaining. Several insurance carriers have negotiable rates and will work closely with a potential customer in order to obtain new business.

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