TOP WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR INSURANCE
It is a fact of life that insurance is an absolute necessity to ensure a healthy, happy, and low-stress life. However, as premiums are on the rise it is getting more and more difficult to find plans that offer the coverage that is needed, while also keeping costs low. There are many plans out there - whether for life, auto, or health insurance - that may seem like a good idea at first, but turn out to lack quality coverage and include many hidden costs. Hard work and a sharp eye are needed in order to find the best prices on insurance. But in addition, it is important to have the understanding of the market, which will lead the way to better plans with lower premiums. It can take years in the business to really grasp the ins and outs, but following a few basic rules can be a good place to start. Take a look at the following tips and reduce those over-inflated insurance costs today.
UNDERSTANDING THE BENEFITS
Before beginning the search for quality insurance plans, it is necessary to understand what specific kinds of benefits are most attractive. For health insurance, these may come in the form of outpatient care, coverage of prescription drugs, lab tests, and pediatric services. Car insurance will offer a wide range of deductibles, roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, or after-hours policy service. Of course it depends on the individual, and what they find most valuable.
Good plans will offer a variety of benefits that cover many different cases which may have the potential to affect the policy holder’s life. Going for the cheapest possible coverage is not usually the best choice, as these plans won’t have the options or the flexibility of their pricier counterparts. It is about finding balance, weighing the pros and cons of each plan, and finding the one that is the best overall package.
The first step toward finding the best prices on insurance is to shop around and see who can offer the biggest bang for your buck. A good rule of thumb to minimize costs is to find at least five different companies with good reputations that can be stacked up against one another. Investing enough time in this process will also give the consumer a decent idea of what they can expect from insurance plans in general, making them savvier and better informed.
The internet makes this process easier than ever, as most companies can give a detailed report on the various advantages they offer. In order to get a specific quote however, it will often be necessary to spend a bit more time, or even call them directly. Again, reliability is key. Only organizations that have a solid financial footing should be considered. Getting coverage that you can count on is a benefit that far outweighs price.
MAINTAIN YOUR CREDIT
It’s not news that credit scores play a big role in determining insurance premiums, but it definitely bears repeating. Insurance companies want clients that are going to make few claims, but the way that you can earn yourself a lower rate has to do with a few easy-to-learn habits that anyone can practice.
• Pay bills on time – so often we neglect this point more due to absentmindedness than a lack of funds. Staying organized and making timely payments is a great way to boost your credit score.
• Use credit cards – the only way to build credit is to use it. Use credit cards for everything, from gas to groceries. As long as the balance is paid off, it will earn the average spender a glowing credit rating.
• Keep balances low – the other half of keeping an active credit card is to use it
responsibly. Racking up large amounts of debt is obviously not going to help your credit rating, meaning higher insurance costs in the long run.
• Keep what’s necessary – having too many credit cards can mean more temptation to spend. Get rid of extraneous cards and just keep what’s needed.
GROUP INSURANCE
Whenever possible, going through employers is an excellent way to save money on insurance. It is obviously a very common way to get health insurance, but many people don’t know that it is also a way to save on costs for auto insurance and life insurance. It all depends on the individual employer, but the best strategy is to ask, and find out what sort of plans a given employer offers.
Aside from employers, different business groups, alumni groups, nonprofits, and other types of organizations can find ways to pool their resources for lower rates. If an organization doesn’t know about these benefits, information can be found on insurance provider’s websites or else obtained through a direct phone call.
CONSOLIDATE
One useful strategy of saving money on your insurance premiums is to lump your house and auto insurance with the same company. Insurance providers like to keep everything under the same roof and so it is common to find special discounts in this way. This could be one of the major factors when comparing different benefits online.
Not only is this an effective way to save money, but it also simplifies finances. It is always better to reduce the number of bills being paid, and if this means reducing the overall amount of money being spent, even better.
PERSISTENCE
Staying with the same provider for longer periods of time will often mean big discounts. It doesn’t pay to switch plans regularly and this is why it is important to find the right plan the first time around. It is one of the easiest ways to save money, as long as careful planning and good decision-making are a priority from the start.
HIGHER DEDUCTIBLES
A lower deductible means greater savings when insurance finally kicks in but higher premiums the rest of the time. If the goal is to reduce monthly payments, then a higher deductible is the way to go. The preference will vary from person to person, and depend on a variety of factors including how frequently they expect to be filing a claim, their current premiums, and their overall style of personal finance.
Another important factor is what type of insurance is being considered. For some people, a higher deductible makes more sense for auto insurance, while a lower health insurance deductible is preferable. For others, it will be the exact opposite. The most important thing is for individuals to find coverage that matches most closely with their personal habits and history.
PROGRESS IN HEALTH CARE
With the Affordable Care Act, most Americans are now having an easier time finding health insurance that works for them. Most employers are now required to offer healthcare to their employees, which provides group discounts and major savings. For those that don’t have this alternative, federal coverage can be obtained at an affordable rate, or at a rate that is scaled to the individual’s budget needs. This certainly simplifies the equation, and makes adequate health care available to everyone.
ALTERNATIVE DISCOUNTS
Combined with all of the above tips, there are always a wide array of alternative discounts that can be found to reduce insurance costs. Again, the same old rule still applies: insurance companies want some kind of assurance that their clients will be low-risk to them. A few ways to prove this include:
• Using antitheft devices (auto insurance) • Low annual driving mileage (auto insurance) • Good health (health insurance and life insurance) • Good grades in school
• Good overall credit
• Good standing with the law
In addition to the savings that can be obtained in these ways, there are a variety of
discounts available for students, teachers and certain age groups. A good way to start is to invest some time in research, to make sure that all possible benefits are being taken advantage of.
MAKING IT A PRIORITY
More than anything, it is important to set aside the necessary time to find a quality plan that will serve all needs without breaking the bank. By now, you should have a good idea of where to start, and the only thing that’s left to do is put in the time and energy. Making insurance a priority shouldn’t be difficult as it covers almost every aspect of life. Health, family, work, and property are all affected, but insurance also provides the peace of mind that we will be protected when we need it most.
A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
The best approach is to come at the problem from multiple directions. While research, comparison shopping, and good financial habits go a long way, sometimes finding the best deals on insurance is best left to the professionals. There are many options available today, and oftentimes only experts have the necessary understanding to manage them all properly.
There are many companies online that specialize in reducing insurance premiums, and getting in touch with one that is trusted, knowledgeable, easy, and friendly is absolutely important. A fully comprehensive approach to insurance savings will cover home, auto, business, life, health, and worker’s comp all in one place.
