The first thing to do is to pull out your
existing policy. Look for something called the declarations page, or
deck page. It has all of the coverage amounts for your current policy.
The price you pay for insurance is a sum of all of the different types
of coverage you have. Some coverage types are optional while some are
mandatory, and to make things a little more interesting, some are
mandatory in some states while others are optional.
Let's start with the easy stuff. Look for
add on items like towing and rental car coverage. These are completely
optional in all states and are a great way to save some money. Granted,
the amounts these items contribute to your overall policy amount aren't
huge, but a few bucks here and there can add up.
Next, look for you comprehensive and
collision coverage. These items are generally optional too, unless you
still have a lien on your car either because you are still paying for it
or the car is leased. If your car is paid for, you can either drop these
items completely from your coverage or you can raise your deductible.
Raising the deductible can save you as much as 40% on the amount you pay
for your overall policy. Keep in mind that dropping these coverage items
means that you will be responsible for fixing your car should you hit
someone and it is your fault. Also, you will have no coverage in the
event your car is stolen or damaged by a hailstorm for example. If you
can live with the risk, drop the coverage; otherwise just raise your
deductible.
Finally, look at your coverage limits
for liability. Liability coverage is mandatory pretty much everywhere.
Lowering the amount of liability coverage can save you a substantial
amount on your bill. The downside is that if you should be sued by
another driver or if you have to pay their medical bills, once your
coverage limit is exceeded, you will be responsible for the additional
amount. The wisest course is probably to not skimp on liability
coverage. Even though it can save you some money in the short term, it
exposes you to a lot of financial risk should you be involved in a major
accident.