It’s easy enough to do. One second you’re cruising down the highway in the middle of the night, hoping you don’t fall asleep behind the wheel before you get home, the next second you’re being pulled over by the state police because you weren’t paying attention and you were far enough over the speed limit to break the sound barrier. It only takes a second to put a big, black dot on your driving record, but you’re going to be paying for that second for the next five years every time you pay high risk auto insurance premiums.
Think of it this way. Insurance companies don’t like having to pay claims. In fact, they hate it. So the drivers they feel are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents are going to be the ones that end up paying the higher price for their position on the global bell curve. High risk drivers typically include:
1) Teens
2) Drivers with multiple speeding tickets and other traffic violations on their record
3) Motorcyclists
4) Drivers who have been convicted of a DUI/DWI
5) Evil Knieval
The best way to avoid having to pay high risk auto insurance premiums is to not be labeled as a high risk driver; however, once you’ve moved past that point you’ve still got options open to you. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and this year he’s bringing cheap high risk auto insurance to all the good little boys and girls. (Do you think that would fit in a stocking?)
Anyway, the first thing you want to do is start shopping around. Just because you’re paying an arm and a leg for your high risk auto insurance policy right now doesn’t mean every insurance company is going to charge you the same thing. Rates swing dramatically between companies, which is why national insurers spend so much time plugging their savings in the advertisements. Pick up the phone, find a quote comparison site on the web, and reach out and touch someone. You might be surprised by what you find.
Once you’ve found a company willing to offer you the high risk auto insurance coverage you need it’s time to start haggling. The first quote they give you should be nothing more than a jumping off point to begin negotiations. Every company has an established set of common and uncommon discounts they offer their customers that can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your premiums. That list includes:
a) Your car’s make and model
b) Your car’s security features
c) Your credit score
d) Where you live
e) What you do where you live to keep food on the table
f) Where your car sleeps at night
This is only an example; your insurance agent can tell you more. It’s time to move on to the final step: Getting off the Insurance Santa’s naughty list and qualifying for regular insurance again. The good news for all high risk drivers is that there are very few offenses that actually stay on your record much past five years, which means if you can keep your nose clean for the next five years the question of how much you’re paying for your high risk auto insurance coverage will be a moot point.
In fact, you might even qualify for a discount.
Anthony M. Peck is the Senior Developer, Software Project Manager, and
Director of Business Development for QuoteScout.com. For more information abouthigh risk auto insurance, visit them on the web at http://www.QuoteScout.com.