When buying a new or used vehicle, most people are looking at the car itself and its features. They generally aren’t thinking about how much the vehicle will cost to insure, that is, until they call their insurance company. Some cars are more expensive to insure than others, so it’s smart to consider insurance costs before buying a car, not after.
Let’s check out some car buying mistakes that can raise the rates of your auto insurance for the duration of time you own your vehicle.
Buying a Car Lacking Safety Features
When insurance carriers set their premiums, one of the things they look at is the risk of collision. If a vehicle has good safety features, such as collision avoidance technologies and plenty of air bags, the chances of having to pay out a large claim are lower. Therefore, the cost of insurance is lower, too.
On the other hand, if a car is lacking essential safety features, the chances of something going wrong is greater. As a result, insurance rates are higher. As you shop for vehicles, pay attention to the safety features that are included. They can lower your auto insurance – and save a life.
Purchasing a Car with an Accident History
Another thing that insurers track is the accident history. A car that has a history of being involved in accidents is going to cost more.
For the buyer, it’s not exactly easy to know the accident history on every vehicle unless you pull a report. But we do recommend checking the accident history on a car before you buy it, as well as obtain several different quotes for auto insurance.
Buying a Car that’s More Likely to be Stolen
Some cars are more likely to be stolen by thieves than others. If you own one of these cars, your insurance will be more expensive. Insurers have to charge more because they typically provide coverage for stolen cars as long as the buyer has comprehensive coverage.
And, if you think that the chances for your car being stolen are slim, think again. In 2020, there were over 810,000 vehicles stolen. One of the main ways that cars are stolen is from drivers who leave their keys in the car.
Not Comparing Auto Insurance Quotes
A lot of buyers aren’t aware that they can compare auto insurance quotes on different vehicles before making a selection. If you’ve narrowed down your options, ask your insurance provider to run a quote for each vehicle. This way, you can determine how much you’ll be paying each month for insurance. If one car is a lot cheaper to insure, this can be your deciding factor.
If you’re on a tight budget, keeping these four factors in mind will help you trim your auto insurance rates. To shop for affordable vehicles, visit RepoFinder.com today. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, reach out to your insurance company and have them run a few quotes for you!