Finding cheap car insurance can be difficult if you have a poor
driving record. Whether you have a DUI, DWI, multiple speeding tickets,
or have been involved in multiple accidents, your car insurance premium
will likely skyrocket. However - although you might not get as low of a
price as someone with a clean driving history - there are still many
ways for you to save money and find a cheap car insurance policy.
First, and this applies to everyone - shop around! Doing so on the
Internet is the best option for many reasons: there is more competition
online which means insurance companies have an incentive to lower their
prices, it is quicker and easier online (you don't have to drive all
over town or spend a lot of time on the phone), and you will have more
options. The more quotes you find, the better your chances of finding
the best policy, so aim to find at least 5 quotes.
Next, always be honest on your insurance quote application. Many
people think if they stretch the truth a little, they will get a lower
premium. This might be true, but if you ever need to submit a claim,
your insurance company will likely verify the information on your
policy. If they find even the tiniest fib, they could very well refuse
to pay your claim - which means you wasted months of premium payments
and still do not have a way to fix your car or pay your medical bills.
Being honest is important for savings in the long run.
One thing to keep in mind when comparison-shopping is coverage. You
can find two policies at different prices and be tempted to go with the
cheaper policy. However, this policy might be offering you much less
coverage than the other. You need to find policies that offer you the
coverage you need first, and then compare prices. Inadequate coverage
could leave you paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in an accident.
Finding the most coverage for your dollar is usually the best way to go.
Secondly, take advantage of discounts. There are many discounts available when it comes to car insurance.
You might not be eligible for all of them today, but you can still
research the types offered and then try to change things around in your
life so that you can qualify when it comes time to renew. Common
discounts include low mileage, having the latest safety and security
features, student discounts, and driver education course discounts among
others.
Finally, look at your policy. Look for extras you can cut such as
incentive programs or roadside assistance. Raise your deductible if
possible (assuming you can still pay it if necessary) - your premium
decreases as your deductible increases, because this is less money the
insurance company will have to pay if you submit a claim.
As you can see, even with a poor driving record there are still some
things you can do to try to find a cheap insurance policy. However,
keeping your driving record clean from here on out should be your number
one priority. After a few years of no insurance claims or tickets, you
should be back on the road to low car insurance premiums!
