Having a good driving record, and years of experience, are a great start to lowering your auto insurance premiums. You can also take defensive driving classes – those should help out a lot. However, there’s more that goes into premium pricing than just your experience. Many times, insurance premiums can be dramatically reduced just by buying the right make and model car. Other times, you can modify your existing vehicle to lower your premiums. Try looking at factors you haven’t considered before.
Age of The Car
The age of your car can dramatically impact the premiums. Too old, and your vehicle might not have the safety features insurers look for. Too new, and your premiums might skyrocket due to the expensive nature of replacement parts on new cars (i.e. replacement or repair on newer vehicles almost always requires expensive diagnostic equipment and the repair or replacement of expensive electrical components).
Try to buy vehicles that are up to 5 years old. If you’re purchasing a vehicle that’s older than 5 years, make sure it has excellent ratings in crash tests and replacement parts are not only plentiful but inexpensive.
Airbags
Airbags are universally recognized by insurers as being an awesome safety feature. Because of this, discounts are basically guaranteed if your vehicle has airbags. It should go without saying that, if you’re buying a newer car, it should come with a driver’s side airbag at a minimum.
Look for vehicles with optional airbags though. A passenger-side, rear, and side airbags all add to the safety of the vehicle and reduce auto insurance premiums.
Anti-Sleep Alarms
Ever get so tired while you were driving that you started to fall asleep? That’s a dangerous situation, and insurers know that people who travel long distances (or work the night shift) will eventually have to figure out how to keep from falling asleep at the wheel. Some car manufacturers have capitalized on this by installing anti-sleep alarms.
Lexus and Saab’s systems track driver eye movements while Volvo and Mercedes’ systems are activated when there’s a change in vehicle performance or position. Sleepy drivers are jolted awake – and kept alive. You can bet that insurers will give you a discount for this as almost every one of them sees this as a giant leap forward in safety technology.
Active Theft Protection
Active theft protection includes a car alarm or some type of active anti-theft system that disables the vehicle’s ability to start. Car alarms have come a long way with features that can include infrared wireless ignition shut-off – preventing would-be thieves from stealing your vehicle or even finding a wire to cut to disable the alarm. Some alarms also offer anti-hijacking protection. At the touch of a button, the system is armed. When you’re car-jacked, you simply get out of the vehicle and let the thief have your vehicle. As soon as the crook shuts the door, the system activates a countdown countermeasure. At the end of the countdown, the vehicle’s engine decreases speed and shuts off – unable to be restarted. This leaves your vehicle safe, and you can call the police.
Etched VIN Numbers
Etched VINs are new, but insurers are picking up on this trend fast. With etched VINs on your windshield, front and rear windows, your vehicle becomes harder to steal and part out. Everything is traceable and insurers love this as it reduces costs to them. That improved security, in turn, earns you a nice discount on your premiums.
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