Car insurance is more expensive than ever — Here’s 6 ways to lower your rates

It’s not your imagination: Car insurance has gotten more expensive in recent years. And it’s on track to get even pricier in 2024.  

Premiums are expected to rise 12. 6% in the new year, according to a report by private finance site ValuePenguin, with the national average for a comprehensive policy reaching around $165 per month. Drivers in some states will feel the effect even More: Rates in Nevada are expected to increase by up to 28%, according to the report, based on insights from the Quadrant Information Services knowledge base.

Overall, auto insurance rates have increased 29% since 2018, with a 25% increase in the last two years alone.

The reasons are many: from persistent inflation and emerging parts repair and replacement prices to increased bad weather and the increase in the number and severity of accidents.

Even with rising rates, you don’t want to break the bank to pay your premiums. Below, CNBC Select offers six tips for getting the best deal on auto insurance.

If you already have homeowners or renters insurance, you can save money through your car insurance from the same provider. According to Forbes Advisor analysis, bundling home and auto insurance can save you an average of 14% on your premiums, which equates to savings. of approximately $466 consistent with the year.

Get quotes from other corporations to see what discounts they offer for packages. And find out what their policies cover, so you can see if you’re getting a deal.

Farmers Insurance offers a home and auto insurance package that the company says can save its customers 20% on average. According to J. D. Power, farmers had above-average customer satisfaction ratings on both purchases and auto insurance claims, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners won fewer than average visitors court cases over their auto insurance.

The best way to estimate your costs is to submit your information for a quote

Undisclosed

Yes

The policy covers damage to your home and property, liability, and loss of use.

Damage from earth and water movements, nuclear dangers, solution failures, wars and mushrooms; see the full list here; Contact a Farmers Insurance agent for a list of all exclusions expressed in your state.

See our methodology, apply.

The way to estimate your prices is to request a quote.

Yes

Farmers sells car insurance in every state except Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia and offers a whopping 22 discounts.

See our methodology, terms apply.

Many insurance companies charge a fee for dividing your premium into monthly payments. Paying it all up front could save you as much as 12%, according to car insurance comparison site The Zebra.

A high-yield savings account can allow you to save enough to cover the bill and earn interest at the same time.

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If it’s not possible to pay your annual premium all at once, check to see if your insurer offers a discount to approve without paying or signing up for automatic payments. Geico consumers who set up autopay, for example, can save up to $36 consistently. with year.

If you work remotely or otherwise don’t drive often, a pay-per-mile policy could be a good fit. With this type of insurance, you’re charged a flat daily rate with an added per-mile surcharge, typically a few cents per mile.

There’s a trade-off when it comes to privacy, as pay-per-mile caps require drivers to plug in a device that tracks their vehicle’s mileage, speed, acceleration, and stopping distance.

But someone driving just 500 miles a month could save about $38 a month with Nationwide’s SmartMiles program, which is available in 44 states. The plan even has an exception for road trips, with only the first 250 miles counted in a single day.  

The way to estimate your prices is to request a quote.

Yes

SmartMiles® is one of the more widely available pay-per-mile auto insurance options. It offers affordable coverage by the mile, tracked through a device plugged into your vehicle or through your vehicle’s existing system for some models. For those who road trip often, only the first 250 miles of driving per day count towards mileage.

Metromile is a strong contender in the pay-per-mile space. Offer discounts of up to 15% for bundling car insurance with Lemonade homeowners or renters insurance. Availability is limited to Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. and Washington.

The best way to estimate your costs is to request a quote

Yes

Metromile’s auto insurance offers coverage in eight states and is backed by Lemonade. Metromile offers discounts for insuring multiple cars and discounts for bundling policies, and a discount of up to 15% for using its Ride Along program, which tracks driving for 17 days before calculating a rate.

In most states, your credit score affects the value you pay for car insurance. Only California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan prohibit insurers from tying their credits to their premiums.

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Combining your house and car is rarely the only way to save money. Insurance corporations offer a variety of discounts, including drivers, students, and members of the US military.

One of our most sensible options when it comes to auto insurance, State Farm offers savvy drivers up to 30% off when they use their Drive Safe mobile app.

The way to estimate your prices is to request a quote.

Yes

State Farm is one of the largest auto insurers in terms of market share and has a good reputation for visitor satisfaction. It offers thirteen discounts, adding discounts for young drivers and drivers.

Terms and conditions apply.

Read our State Farm Auto Insurance review.

By offering a competitive insurance policy to members of the military, veterans, and their families, USAA earns top marks for visitor satisfaction. In addition to the 10% discount on packages, USAA offers discounts for driving, autopay, smart ratings, vintage insured, multi-car, and to store your vehicles on base.

The way to estimate your prices is to request a quote.

Yeah

USAA auto insurance is available in all 50 states, Washington D. C. , and Washington D. C. and in some foreign countries. In addition to low rates and policy features for unique circumstances, such as for active duty members, consumers have access to an intuitive cellular app.

See our methodology, apply.

If you’re in school, Geico offers a smart student reduction of up to 15% on policies chosen if you have a B average or higher. CNBC Select praised Geico for its national availability, low fees, and inclusive policy (even for high-risk students). drivers).

The way to estimate your prices is to request a quote.

Yes

Geico coverage and services are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and there are 16 different types of discounts available. In addition to the standard coverage options, Geico offers various optional add-ons, such as emergency roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement and mechanical breakdown insurance.

See our methodology, apply.

Read our Geico car insurance review.

Your deductible, the amount you must pay before your insurance company pays, is tied to your premium. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

Increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by 15% to 30%, according to the Insurance Information Institute, while upping it to $1,000 could save you 40% or more.

You’ll need to have more money on hand if you’re involved in an accident, so if you don’t think you can meet the deductible — or have a spotty driving record — this isn’t the strategy for you.

Money matters, so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you want to maximize your money, straight to your inbox. Register here.

Auto insurance costs are skyrocketing, but emerging premiums can be curbed by bundling insurance, taking advantage of discounts, and other measures.

At CNBC Select, our project is to provide our readers with high-quality journalism and comprehensive customer recommendations so they can make informed decisions with their money. Each insurance review is based on rigorous reports written by our team of expert writers and editors with a deep understanding of insurance products. While CNBC Select gets engagement from its partner partners on many offers and links, we create all of our content without the involvement of our sales team or external third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic criteria and ethics.

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