Simple Methods to Lower Your Car Insurance in Austin, Texas
Known as the ""Live Music Capital of the World,"" Austin offers more than 200 live music venues for residents and visitors to enjoy. It's a vibrant city with Texas-sized culture and diversity. And thankfully, there are just as many car insurance providers in the capital city of Texas! Austin is home to many major auto insurance companies and countless others.
So what does this mean for you if you live in Austin, Texas? It means you're more likely to secure cheap car insurance rates. Here are some tips to lower your car insurance in Austin.
Do Your Research
Research Austin providers carefully before securing a policy. As mentioned, Austin has many dependable companies, giving the city a competitive edge that residents need for better rates. One way to research your options is to use an online car insurance comparison site. You can easily compare rates based on the criteria you enter among 15 to 50 providers at a time. This gives you a broad spectrum of quotes so you can find which companies are friendly to your personal needs. Online rate comparison is free and can be done in moments from your home computer.
Keep in mind that certain risk factors are taken into consideration when companies give a rate quote. These may include your driving history, age, where you live, type of car driven, daily commute time to work each day, etc. But not all Austin insurers are created equal. You'll find that some companies cater to certain types of drivers. Some specialize in helping high risk drivers while others prefer to insure those drivers who are less of a risk. Some providers cater to young people. While one company might give you an astronomical rate quote for your teen driver, another might welcome you with open arms and offer an affordable rate.
Coverage Provided by Austin Car Insurance Companies
The types of coverage may vary in deductibles, amount of coverage offered, etc. but there are some basic coverage options that are common across the board. The state of Texas requires a minimum of $25,000/$50,000 in Bodily Injury Liability coverage and $25,000 in Property Damage Liability. These requirements will act as your springboard when comparing auto insurance rates.
You can add certain types of coverage such as collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist, towing, car rental and medical payments to increase the value of your policy. But remember that with more coverage comes a higher premium no matter which provider you choose. Compare rates with a higher deductible and with various policy options to weigh the options.
Austin Statistics Can Be Helpful
If you live in Austin, there are certain statistics that pertain to you when applying for car insurance. For example, the average commute to work by residents in Austin is 22.4 minutes. The number of auto thefts in Austin in 2007 was 2,961. Austin had 58 deadly automobile crashes in 2007. These statistics and others help insurance providers determine their general rates.
Providers will also consider the type of car you own and whether it is a high theft risk. There are certain cars that get stolen more than others. In Austin, these include the 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup, 1996 Honda Accord, 1997 Ford F-150 Series, 1994 Chevy Full Size 1500 Pickup, 2000 Honda Civic, 1997 Ford Taurus and several others. Even if you own one of these vehicles, your insurance company may offer lower rates if you can show proof of anti-theft devices or if you park your car in a secure area instead of on the open street.
As you compare insurance rates, keep in mind that car insurance pricing can fluctuate even after you've been a policy holder for quite some time. Austin providers will re-examine your policy every time it renews, and base your rates on your driving history, changes in location or automobile, etc. Consider these tips as you seek to lower your car insurance in Austin, Texas!
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