Finding The Right Car Insurance

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.

You can choose from three basic types of car insurance cover: Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft and Comprehensive. Third Party is the minimum cover and pays for damage to other people’s property caused by an accident that is your fault. Third Party Fire and Theft adds to the minimum by including cover for damage caused by theft, attempted theft and fire. Comprehensive Cover includes all of this and pays to cover damage to your own vehicle in an accident that is your fault.

Comprehensive Cover is the most expensive, but it provides the most benefits, and is really the type of insurance most South Africans should have to completely cover their risks. Now that you know what you can buy, let’s examine ways to get that cover at the best price. Here are ten ways you can reduce your insurance premiums. They may not all work for you, but everyone can find something that will work.

If you are in the market for new insurance, the first thing you need to decide is what you want in your policy. You have decide what are you looking for the policy to cover. How much of deductible do you want, and how many cars are you going to cover. And if you own money on one or all of them, make sure that you have complete coverage. The best thing to do is do some research and then compare companies. That way you can make sure you make the best decision you can for what the cost is and for what you want.

Each policy comes with a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay if you file a claim. People save money by selecting a higher deductible. Make sure if you ever file a claim you a sure to pay the deductible.

There are benefits to being a safe driver and having a good driving record. If you are safe driver and go a year without claims many insurance companies offer discounts on your premium. If your insurance company does not offer this you might want to look for one that does.

Always consider your insurance costs when you’re shopping for a vehicle. 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.

Living in high crime areas will increase your rates due to there being a greater possibility of your vehicle being stolen or hijacked. You should greatly consider moving to a better neighborhood, not only to save money on premiums, but for greater personal safety.

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

You can add security devices such as gearlocks or global tracking devices that exceed the minimum requirements and receive a discount.Most insurance companies will have minimum security requirements for the vehicles it insures.

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.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’s leading car insurance portal.