About to Get Your First Car Insurance Policy? These are Four Important Things You Should Keep in Mind

Having car insurance is a requirement for car owners in most states and it’s not hard to see why. It protects not just the driver but also other motorists in case of road accidents.

But while you might find buying a car relatively easy, finding the best car insurance policy for your needs may not be as simple. There are a lot of factors you need to consider before signing for one.

Here are four things you can do to make the search less complicated.

Scope of Coverage

Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock: More coverage also means a more expensive premium

Car insurance policies come with a variety of coverage levels.

You can stick with one that covers the minimum policy requirements in your state. Just know that that might not be enough to get you a car replacement if your vehicle is damaged in an event other than accidents.

You might also be required to get a policy with more coverage if you’re planning on getting a car loan or leasing out your vehicle.

Determine Your Deductible

BLACKWHITEPAILYN/Shutterstock: Only choose a higher deductible if you have cash saved up

Next, you should determine a deductible that fits your situation. The deductible is the amount that you will cover before your insurance provider pays for damages.

Choosing a higher deductible can reduce the amount you’ll have to pay monthly. However, it also means that you’ll have to pay more out of pocket when you do get into an accident.

While having a higher deductible can make an insurance policy more affordable to you, it might only cause you even more stress at the event of accidents, especially if you don’t have the cash to pay upfront.

Shop Around

One way you can save money on car insurance is by shopping around first before picking a policy. Do your homework and find out the pricing of multiple insurance providers in your state.

Pricing can vary widely between each of them, so it’s a wise move to compare rates and find the best one. Go online and enter your details on several insurance companies’ websites to see how much you’d have to pay for each.

On to the Next

Syda Productions/Shutterstock: Young drivers often pay more for insurance because they are generally more likely to get into accidents

Another thing you can do to get cheaper insurance is to shop around for another one after being covered by your first car insurance policy for half a year.

Because insurance providers calculate their prices based on your age and driving history, younger drivers typically end up with a more expensive policy. You can lower this by shopping for car insurance again after six months of coverage.