Are You Missing out on Auto Insurance Discounts That You May Qualify For?

A Insurance Article Contributed by Brandie King

Introduction to Auto Insurance Discounts

You would like to save all the money you can on your auto insurance, right? So have you talked to your insurance agent to see if you are currently missing out on any discounts that you might be eligible for? Taking advantage of discounts can be one of the best ways to save money on your auto insurance and you should not hesitate to use them. Ask your agent what all discounts they offer, then ask them which of those discounts you can receive on your auto insurance policy.

This article will discuss some of the discounts that are sometimes offered to policy holders and will help you to understand what you might be eligible for. Keep in mind that not all discounts are available in every state, nor offered by every insurance company, and that they may also vary depending on exactly where within a state you live.

Auto Insurance Discounts Related to You and Your Policy

There are quite a lot of possible auto insurance discounts that are related to you, your habits, and your insurance policy. If you have not had any accidents or traffic violations within a certain period of time (usually 3-5 years), then you may be eligible for a discount. Some companies provide discounts to students meeting certain requirements with their grades and who are unmarried and under a certain age, often either 21 or 25.

A discount is sometimes available for students who attend college, and live, away from home and who do not have a vehicle. There are sometimes discounts available for being a non smoker, having taken a drivers education course, or having taken a defensive driving course. If you use public transit or car pools to commute, you might get a discount for doing so if you can prove that you use either or those means of transportation. A lot of the time there are discounts available for senior citizens.

Some insurance companies even go so far as to offer discounts to those who have taken a drug and alcohol awareness training class. And finally, if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company, or more than one type of policy (such as your auto and your home), you may be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance.

Auto Insurance Discounts Related to Your Vehicle

Some auto insurance discounts are directly related to your vehicle itself. Do you have safety devices installed on your vehicle, such as air bags, automatic seat belts, or anti lock brakes? Discounts are often given for having these types of devices installed. Having anti theft devices (such as an alarm), locator devices (such as GPS units), or VIN window etching on your vehicle might afford you a discount.

Some cars are classified as being "safe cars", and you may get a discount if you own one of them. Putting a low amount of mileage on your vehicle could also get you a discount on your auto insurance.