Insurance Information

Insurers often discount their car insurance rates in order to encourage good driving practices and the use of safety and security precautions. Depending on the car insurance company, you can often lower your rates from 5 to 35 percent.

Sometimes the investment you make in your vehicle is worth the discount, and sometimes it's simply worth some peace of mind. For example, the purchase of anti-lock brakes merits a discount from nearly every car insurance company, but the discount probably will not pay for the brakes (which cost several hundred dollars) during the normal life of your vehicle. Anti-lock brakes are touted, nonetheless, as a life-saving feature, a serious consideration when safety is a top priority.

Car insurance companies generally offer discounts for:
Safety Features - anti-lock brakes, air bags and passive restraint systems (i.e., automatic seat belts).
Defensive Driving - Clean violation record, driver's-ed courses for teenagers and defensive driving or accident prevention courses for adults (car insurance discounts for the latter are required in some states).
Security Systems - Alarms, electronic locks and disabling devices.
Changing Driving Habits - Commuting by public transit, using a company vehicle for work-related travel and car-pooling.
Formal Agreements Not to Drink and Drive - The availability of a car insurance discount for signing such an agreement varies among insurers and states.