Finding cheap car insurance in Australia

Do you need to find cheaper car insurance?  

If you’ve recently lost your job or had some other major loss of income, you are looking to cut costs wherever you can.  Your car insurance may be one of those areas.  While switching car insurance too often can actually be a red flag for insurance companies, there’s nothing that prevents you from doing so.  

This is especially true if you can point to a rate increase as your reason for seeking new coverage.  If you are trying to find cheaper car insurance, here are seven different steps to take. 

1. Research, research, research! Before you even talk to an insurance agent, get information about their company.  The internet is the best place to do this.  You can look up what coverage they offer, get quotes online, and read customer reviews to get an idea of how the company treats people.  Do your research and know what to expect from each company.  This can also be a good way of weeding out insurance companies that may not be for you.

2. Know what you need. Not everyone needs full comprehensive insurance coverage.  If you don’t, you will save a lot of money by going with limited liability instead.  You also need to know if you need a long-term policy or a short-term policy.  While short-term policies usually have higher premiums, they may better fit your needs.  Short-term policies are also a good way of building up your credibility with an insurance company if you have a bad driving record.

3. Take a defensive driving class. If you can show that you have taken and passed one of these courses, most insurance companies will give you a discount of at least ten per cent.  These courses do not usually last more than a month or so, but they can greatly increase your chances of getting cheap insurance.

4. Do you want a combination policy? If you need home owners insurance, insurance for a boat or other vehicle, or even life insurance, you may be able to get all of your policies from the same company.  The main bonus here is that these companies often offer a discount on each policy you have if you have multiple policies with them.  If you have two policies, you may get ten per cent off each.  With three, you might get fifteen percent off.  It varies from company to company, but it is certainly worth looking into.

5. Before you buy a car, go looking and take down the vehicle’s registration numbers. You can ask an insurance company to give you a quote for these specific vehicles.  This way, you can get an idea of exactly what your monthly premium will be so you can make an informed decision before you buy your car.  The last thing you want is to sign the paperwork and then discover you cannot afford your car and the insurance.

6. Know what discounts you should be eligible for. While not all insurance companies offer the same discounts, many are pretty much universal.  You should make a list of the discounts you are eligible for and make certain your agent applies them to your premium. Here are some of the most common discounts: having a good driving record having good grades (if you’re a student) being a woman (they get on average a ten per cent discount) having a short commute living in a neighborhood with a low crime rate having a security system installed in your car.

7. Speak to an insurance agent. While you may be able to apply and qualify for insurance online, it is often better to actually talk to a live insurance agent.  This way, you can get many of your questions answered before you decide on a policy. Request a quote Recent Posts Comparing Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes Online Affordable Car Insurance for Bad Drivers 7 Steps to Cheap Car Insurance.