Saving money on auto insurance
- Before you buy a car
Talk with your producer (agent) or insurance company about insurance costs before you buy a car. Certain makes and models, especially sports cars, are higher risks for insurance companies and cost more to insure. - Comparison shopping
Ask several companies for quotes. By shopping, you may find several hundred dollars' difference between quotes. Be sure to compare identical coverages when comparing policies. - Coverages
Drop collision coverage on cars that cost more to repair than they are worth. For example, consider carrying only liability coverage for cars valued at less than $1,000. Increase your deductible. Take the highest deductible you can afford on collision and comprehensive coverage. - Discounts
You can save money on auto insurance by taking advantage of discounts. Ask your producer (agent) or company if you qualify for discounts for any of the following:- You insure two or more cars on a policy.
- Your auto and home insurance are on the same policy or with the same company.
- Your child is under 25 and has good grades in school.
- Your child has completed a driver-education course.
- You've completed a defensive-driving course.
- You're a mature driver between 50 and 65.
- Your vehicle has air bags, an anti-lock braking system, other safety equipment, or anti-theft devices.
- You're a low-mileage driver.
- You're in a carpool.
- You haven't gotten any traffic tickets in three years.
- You haven't been in any accidents in three years.
- You have a favorable credit history.
- Driving record
- Maintain a good driving record. Your premiums are directly related to your driving record.
- Under Oregon law, an insurance company can use only the last three years of your driving record when deciding whether to issue or renew a policy or in determining your premium.
- If you've had an accident or a violation, and your rates have gone up or your policy has been assigned to a nonstandard insurer, talk with your insurance producer (agent) or company. If it's been more than three years since your accident or violation, you may qualify for a lower rate. If not, consider changing companies.
- Take a defensive-driving course.
- Older drivers
Drivers 55 and older must be given a discount if they complete a state-certified safe driving course. - Parents of teenagers
If your teenagers don't own cars, make sure your insurance company understands which cars they are going to drive and how often. If they do own cars, consider covering them under your policy. Otherwise, they'll probably have to pay higher premiums. Check into discounts such as those listed on this page. If your young driver goes to school more than 100 miles away – without a car – you may qualify for another discount. - Paying premiums
You can save on service charges by paying premiums in full rather than on a quarterly or month-to-month
basis. - Reviewing your policy
Review your policy periodically and update coverage accordingly. Notify your producer (agent) immediately if you move, substantially reduce your annual mileage, sell your car, change your marital status, or change the number of drivers in your household. - Young singles on their own
Avoid performance or "turbo cars." A turbo engine can add more than 10 percent to your premium.
