Dirt Cheap Car Insurance

Do you need dirt cheap car insurance coverage that saves you the most money? You can take proven steps to lower your car insurance premiums and get the most affordable rates. We have outlined 16 bullet points you can take advantage of to save you big bucks.

1. Keep Your Credit Score Above 700 

Insurance companies use a driver’s credit score to assess their risk. Years of stats have shown that drivers with low credit scores get into more accidents, file more false claims, pay their premiums late, and switch carriers more frequently.

To get dirt cheap rates:

• Maintain a credit score of at least 700. If your score is below this, take action to raise it.
• Get a credit report and remove any wrong items hindering your credit rating.
• Pay off your debt as fast as possible and always pay your bills on time.

2. Drive an Older Vehicle 

If you want dirt cheap car insurance and need to significantly lower your premiums, don’t consider buying a new car. Premiums for new vehicles are often 50% higher than used cars over five years old. New cars are more costly to repair and replace, and thus, the premiums cost more. It’s that simple.

If a new vehicle costs $35,000 and you get comprehensive coverage, you pay higher premiums to cover that high price of the car. On the contrary, if your used car is worth $3,500, then the cost of replacing it is a fraction of the new vehicle in this example. A Quick Tip: Look for used cars that are a minimum of five years old that have low mileage. Use sites like CarGurus.com to find the best deals.

3. Live in a State that has Low-Cost Auto Insurance 

You can save 50% and more on the cost of car insurance by living in states with cheaper rates. For example, the average premium in Ohio is about $990, and in Michigan, one of the most expensive states to insure a vehicle, the average is $2,110 per year. Michigan, Louisiana, and California all have some of the highest average rates. Here are the five cheapest states to insure your vehicle.

• Ohio – $990   
• New Hampshire – $886
• Maine – $860
• Idaho – $987
• Wisconsin – $940  

4. Get Liability Only Coverage

If you need dirt cheap car insurance with the lowest rates, look into a state minimum liability-only policy. While this “bare bones” type of coverage is affordable, it is also risky because most accidents will exceed the amount of coverage.

For qualified drivers, liability-only rates can be as low as $39 per month. A Quick Tip: get higher limit liability-only coverage that gives you more excellent protection if you get into an accident.

5. Be a Safe Driver  

The risk you pose as a driver plays a considerable role in the cost of covering your vehicle. Safe drivers that stay accident and ticket-free get rewarded with lower rates. It’s just that simple. Safe drivers follow traffic laws and thus are less likely to get into an at-fault accident. If you get a ticket, you must go to traffic school, so it doesn’t go on your permanent record.

You can also use so-called “ticket buster” services to get your ticket taken care of on your behalf for a fee. Some states will issue what’s known as a deferral. The citation won’t go on your record if you remain ticket-free for a certain period of time. If you already have moving violation tickets on your record, you will need to wait 3-5 years before they are erased.

6. Drive Less than 800 Miles a Month

The less you drive, the less likely you will be involved in an accident. This is why insurers give discounted rates to motorists who drive less than 1,000 miles per month. To get the lowest rates, drive less than 800 miles per month.

A Quick Tip: If you don’t drive much, check out pay-per-mile or usage-based policies from companies like Metromile. As the name implies, you only pay for the number of miles you drive per month. Motorists who drive less than 100 miles per week can save 40% or more compared to a standard insurance policy.

7. Do Not finance or Lease Your Vehicle – Own it Outright

Most people think leasing can get them into a new car at low monthly rates they can afford. However, there’s a big catch. Leasing companies will require the driver to buy comprehensive coverage, which can be double or even more than a liability-only insurance policy. Also, some auto loans will require the driver to carry full coverage. If you need dirt cheap auto insurance, own the car you drive.

8. Consider Group Auto Insurance

You can get group auto insurance rates by grouping several friends, family members, or co-workers into buying coverage from the same carrier. Doing so can save you 10% or more on your policy. Many large insurers like State Farm and Allstate have special discounts for group car insurance.

9. Live in a Rural Area

Your zip code plays a big part in the rates you will pay to insure your car. In general, premiums are going to be higher in congested urban areas. There are more people in big cities, which equates to more accidents and more auto theft. Is it just common sense, right?

In rural areas, let’s say out in the farmland of Nebraska, there are far fewer vehicles on the road, and there’s less of a chance your car will get stolen or vandalized. Even living in the suburbs 15 miles outside of a major city can get you reduced rates. Enter your zip code and compare rates where you live in about five minutes.

10. Raise the Deductible 

Raising your deductible is an essential step in getting dirt cheap car insurance and something you have control over. If you consider yourself a safe driver and are accident-free, consider a deductible between $1,000 and $1,500. This will reduce your premiums by 15% and more. A Quick Tip: If you decide on a high deductible policy, ensure you have the entire amount saved up if you get into an accident and need to file a claim.

11. Get Married

Here’s an auto insurance discount you might have never heard of – getting married can reduce your premium. You can expect to save 2% or more on auto insurance if you are married. Studies show that married drivers take less risk on the road and get in far fewer accidents than single motorists. If you consider getting married soon, you can reduce your rates once you tie the knot.

12. Get All the Discounts You Can

To lower your auto insurance premium the most, qualify for multiple discounts. Top discounts include:

• Automatic Payment and Paperless Discount
• Bundled Policies Discount
• Good Student Discount
• Occupational & Organizational Discount
• Non-Alcohol-Drinker Discount
• Senior Citizen Discount
• Resident Student Discount (Must have a 3.5+ GPA) 
• Safe Driver Education Discount
• Usage-Based Discount
• Safe Driver 
• Customer Loyalty and Retention Discount
• Continuous Coverage Discount
• Married Discount
• Homeowners Insurance Discount
• Safety Features Discount (airbags and anti-lock brakes)
• Passive Restraints Discount
• Anti-Theft System Discount
• Garage Parked Discount
• Military and Veteran Discount

13. Pay Your Premium in Full  

A simple way to save 1% to 2% off your premium is to pay your policy in full and not sign-up for monthly installments. Not only is it a great way to save, but it’s one less bill you must worry about paying each month.

14. Bundle and Save Some Serious Money 

Savvy insurance shoppers know the more you bundle, the more you save. If you are a homeowner, you can often save 5% by bundling your homeowners and auto policy with one carrier. In addition, if you have more than one vehicle, you can get reduced rates by bundling them together. Some insurers will offer discounts on auto insurance if you purchase a life insurance policy with them. The point is to bundle all you can and save more money.

15. Shop Online for Dirt Cheap Car Insurance Rates

If you need dirt cheap car insurance fast, it is the best place to find it online. Direct insurance providers have lower rates than traditional insurers that sell policies through agents. These savings are passed onto you, the consumer, through lower premiums.

Many consumers can save $500 or more by shopping direct online for auto insurance. Get started comparing rates right now by entering your zip code. It’s essential to compare at least ten quotes from both regional and national carriers.

16. Take a Certified Defensive Driving Class 

One of the best discounts you can get is completing a defensive driving class. It can also save your life. Insurers recognize that drivers who complete a defensive driving course are much better and take fewer risks behind the wheel. This leads to far fewer accidents and claims filed. Take the class and save 10% and more. Contact your local DMV for information on courses near you.

Conclusions on Dirt Cheap Car Insurance

Getting dirt cheap car insurance is about lowering your risk profile as much as possible by driving an older used vehicle, staying ticket and accident-free, having good credit, and driving under 800 miles per month.

You can save even more by taking advantage of discounts, lowering excess coverage you don’t need, and living in a rural area. To compare dirt cheap car insurance where you live, enter your zip code and fill out an application in about five minutes. See how easy it is to save hundreds on the car insurance coverage you need.