So, for everything else related to auto insurance, we have some tips for auto insurance buyers and making a claim.

Keeping Auto Insurance

• Read your insurance policy. Drag right? The specifics of your insurance policy are a pain, and if you are like half the world, when it comes to reading it, you just skim. It involves your money though, and it’s better to know your policy than to mess with your money.
• Discounts! Your insurance company is not going to want to give you lower premiums if you don’t ask about them. Sure, they might give you some automatic discounts, but it can’t hurt to stay on top of what they are advertising.
• Don’t hate on high deductibles. High deductibles can be a particularly good idea if you are a safe driver…and if you can afford it. A high deductible can reduce the amount you pay in premiums over the long run. Though granted, if you are car crash magnet, you might just want to take the higher premiums.
• There’s a reason minimum coverage has the word minimum in it. Only having minimum coverage can suck if you get into an accident. You can end up being underinsured and owe someone a lot of money. If you can’t afford any more insurance, it is what it is, but to keep someone from suing you for a substantial sum, make sure that at the very least, you have liability insurance to cover other drivers and pedestrians.
• Older cars don’t cough up that much money. Obviously, I’m not talking about a sweet classic car like 1962 250 GT Ferrari convertible. *le sigh* When it comes to cars that aren’t worth that much, you might end up paying more in insurance than you could ever make back on your car if it was totaled. Collision insurance is not always advisable, but you have to understand your premiums and the worth of your own car.
• Annual beats out monthly. Sometimes, paying for your insurance on an annual basis can save you some cash because you are giving them the money upfront. As a bonus for paying your premium in one go, they usually will offer you a lower premium.
• Don’t be afraid to switch. You can cancel your policy at any time, whether it has expired or not. Your auto insurance company is not your buddy. You don’t have to stay loyal to them, especially if they are giving you a higher rate than another company. If they really wanted your loyalty, they would offer you a lower rate. Just don’t switch too much. If you switch too many times, you might get higher rates because a new insurer is concerned that you may not be a loyal customer.
• Love the insurance umbrella. If you have multiple insurances with one company, you can save a bunch of money on car insurance. So your home insurance or life insurance coupled with your auto can save you some money.
• Don’t be an idiot. Racing your friend down the highway or making your own drifting YouTube video might be fun, but imagine, for a moment, trying to explain to your insurance agent that you were getting mad drift when you smashed into another car…do not question that higher premiums are on your horizon.

Making an Accident Claim

• Say cheese. Take pictures. You can leave a disposable camera in your car, or if you’ve entered the 21st century, the camera in your phone is sufficient.  Take pictures of the actual accident, and grab a pic of their license plate too. You want proof in case your word isn’t enough…or you have to track them down.
• Call the Popo. You want the police to write up a report detailing what happened, even if it is a minor accident. The police can act as an additional witness for the accident, and you definitely want to have a paper trail.
• Nab everyone’s information. Get the information of anyone else involved in the accident, including their insurance and contact information. If there were witnesses, get their information, and don’t forget the police officers’ names and badge numbers. You want to be able to find these people in case you need to go to court.
• Detail the scene. Don’t forget the make and model of the car, along with the license plate number if you don’t have a camera. Record the names of the roads and other location details.

Basically, it all comes down to knowing your policy, keeping yourself safe, and balancing the cost of your premiums with financial risks of getting into an accident.