Drivers Who Know These Tricks Save More on Honda Ridgeline Insurance

Have you had enough of robbing Peter to pay Paul to pay your car insurance bill each month? Your situation is no different than the majority of other car owners.

Popular companies such as Progressive, State Farm and GEICO all promote huge savings with advertising and it is difficult to ignore the promise of big savings and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It is always a good idea to price shop coverage quite often because insurance rates change regularly. Just because you had the lowest price for Ridgeline insurance six months ago you can probably find a better price now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to find out how to use online quotes to find great coverage at a great price.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list all available discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and the more hidden auto insurance savings.

• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings up to 30%.
• Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
• Multiple Vehicles – Having multiple vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
• Defensive Driver – Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.

Why you might be paying too much to insure your Honda Ridgeline

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

• Rate your vehicle for proper use – The more you drive in a year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage, because it can save money. Incorrect usage on your Ridgeline can result in significantly higher rates.
• Safer cars are cheaper to insure – Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and fewer injuries means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you. If your Honda scored better than four stars on Safercar.gov it is probably cheaper to insure.
• Small claims can cost you – If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance companies provide better rates to people who do not file claims often. Car insurance is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
• Never let your coverage lapse – Driving with no insurance is a misdemeanor and auto insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance expire. Not only will you pay more, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
• Do you need those extra coverages? – There are many extra coverages that you can buy if you aren’t careful. Things like vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and membership fees may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea at first, but your needs may have changed so remove them from your policy.
• Do men or women drive better? – The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. Women and men have accidents at a similar rate, but the men cause more damage. Men also statistically have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are several times more likely to be in an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.

It’s not one size fits all

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions might point out whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

• Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
• Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
• I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
• Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
• When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
• Is my Honda Ridgeline covered for smoke damage?
• Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Beware of misleading auto insurance ads

Auto insurance providers like State Farm and Allstate continually stream ads in print and on television. They all have a common claim about savings after switching your policy. How do they all say the same thing? This is how they do it.

All companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk could be a mature driver, a clean driving record, and drives newer vehicles. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” is entitled to the best price and therefore will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don’t measure up to the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher prices which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That’s why companies can state the savings. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It’s just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Summing up your auto insurance search

You just learned some good ideas how to lower your Honda Ridgeline insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the biggest savings come from the smaller companies. They often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.