Monday, March 17, 2014

Are You Shopping For Insurance Policies To Save Money?

By John McDougal


Shopping for insurance policies to save money requires time, research and the right approach. Canadians can secure better rates for their home and auto coverage by getting serious about their insurance and knowing a little about how the industry works.

Start with your current policies for automobile and home. Read them over carefully and examine the coverage details. Do you require those specific levels of coverage or have your needs changed? Deleting aspects of your policy could save you money while avoiding the hassles associated with switching to another insurer.

Your deductible presents one of the easiest ways to save money on this necessary expense. Ask your agent or broker about the various deductible levels available on your policy and consider increasing those deductibles in order to decrease the overall annual cost. Stick to a wise level that balances annual savings with afford-ability should an accident occur and remember to check that deductible every year to ensure you realize the savings at renewal.

Many Canadian insurers provide a small discount to customers with multiple policies. Group your policies to realize this discount and streamline your monthly payments. It makes sense to obtain both home and automobile coverage from the same company, but think about bundling your home and cottage policies together or securing motorcycle coverage with your automobile insurer to realize optimum savings. Find out whether your group insurance broker offers other products and bundled discounts for additional policies.

Comparing rates can also help you spend less on this regular expense. Use the online tools provided by many Canadian insurers to obtain quick quotes for comparison purposes. Always provide identical information to each company to allow for an accurate assessment. Remember to be truthful and consider the overall value of each coverage quoted.

Did you know that memberships and community involvement may allow you to secure cheaper rates? Many Canadian insurers provide bulk or group rates to members of professional associations, unions, community groups, university and college alumni and cultural organizations. Consider how you can utilize your existing involvement in large groups to obtain lower rates for your home and automobile insurance policies.

Updating your personal and financial data with your existing broker or agency may also result in savings now or at renewal. Paying off a car loan or mortgage often lowers the premiums due, and changing jobs or adding drivers often has an effect on your automobile policy. Remember to update your information at renewal or any time during the year to be eligible for savings on your premiums.

With a little foot work and some knowledge of your needs it can be possible to find ways to spend less on this significant expense. Read over your current policy and decide if cost saving changes like increasing your deductible will work. Consider bundling separate policies together for a discount or utilize your group memberships to qualify for savings. Comparing different insurers allows you to gauge the best value and keeping all personal data current helps to shave dollars off your automobile and home insurance policies.




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