The decision to purchase a new or used vehicle is an important one. The first is the cost of the car and how it might affect your budget. The safety of your new vehicle is another important aspect to consider. You should also be familiar with the mechanical stability and safety of your used or new vehicle. Lastly, consider the insurance costs.
Each of these items can be evaluated easily, believe it or not. To reduce your monthly car payment, you can trim your budget. You can also look at consumer reports or studies to find out how the car performed in safety tests. Or you can take the vehicle to your mechanic for a thorough inspection before making a decision to purchase.
How can you ensure that the vehicle you’re buying has affordable insurance? Although it may seem longer than other considerations, it is really not that difficult. Here are some ideas.
- You should review the safety features of your car. This is something you already do to protect your family’s safety, but it can also double as an insurance premium control factor. Safety features on any vehicle you purchase will help lower your auto insurance costs because they will decrease the chance of injury and accident. You should look for:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Airbags for the front and side
- Daytime running lamps
- Vehicle stability systems and vehicle traction controls
- Pre-collision systems
- Safety belts for the shoulder and lap
- Take a look at the theft rates. Some vehicles are very popular with car thieves, while others are relatively overlooked by them. Look at auto theft statistics as you narrow down your options based on make/model to determine if any automobiles you have chosen are high-end targets for thieves. Your auto insurance rates will likely go up if there is a higher risk.
- Compare models: You can compare models online to find cheaper models that are similar in safety and theft ratings. This will enable you to lower the limits of your car insurance policy, which will reduce your car insurance premiums.
- If you’re thinking about buying a used vehicle, make sure you get a report. Vehicle history reports can be invaluable information that could make or break your decision to purchase a specific used car. This won’t affect your auto insurance premium but it can make a big difference in your wallet if you are unable to buy a car that has many hidden (and possibly costly) issues.
- Get quotes from your agent: After you have made a decision about which cars you want, you can call your agent to get a quote for each vehicle on your list. Although the final premium may differ from the rate quote, it is still a good idea to request a comparison rate quote. This will give you an idea of how much each model/make costs.
Be smart about what you buy. A high insurance premium can make it difficult to afford, and could cost you a lot of money. This would take the joy out of buying a new or used car. It is the worst thing you can do as a buyer: fall in love and buy a car without doing enough research.
