There are exciting things on the horizon for Oregon auto insurance purchasers, things like Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) Auto Insurance which charges insurance premiums by the mile, potentially saving low-mileage drivers a fortune in insurance costs, but until such time as a PAYD plan is fully implemented, Oregon drivers will have to compare auto insurance rates just like everyone else in order to find the best deal.
In Oregon there are three classifications into which a driver can be placed by an insurance company. Preferred drivers have not had an accident or made a claim in the past three years; they get the best rates. Standard drivers generally drive family cars and have a fairly clean but not perfect driving record; they receive the next best insurance rate. The lowest category is called Nonstandard. These are drivers with poor driving records or drivers under 25 years of age, or drivers who have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; these drivers pay the highest auto insurance premiums.
Obviously if you want to save money and get discount auto insurance in Oregon you need to be in one of the top two categories.
A driver convicted of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs has little chance of improving his or her insurance classification for several years however, a driver under the age of 25 can get a break on auto insurance premiums by staying in school and getting excellent grades. Such students are eligible for a Good Student Discount.
Other factors which have a direct impact on the rate you pay for auto insurance include the type of car you drive (sports car and high-performance car drivers pay the highest rate), your geographic location (city dwellers pay higher rates than those who live outside of congested cities), the number of miles you drive each day, and your past driving record. Even your credit score can influence your auto insurance rates, although Oregon law limits the impact that your credit score can have.
Today Oregon auto insurance shoppers can get online and relatively easily make comparisons between auto insurance rates offered by almost every auto insurance provider in the state. Spending an hour or two at one of the many sites offering such rate comparisons can help the average Oregon driver find the discount auto insurance thats just right.
Are you looking for ways to lower your Auto Insurance Premium? Auto insurance rates can spiral depending upon factors that include your age, past driving record, and other factors such as credit history. However, the trick is to find ways to lower the annual pay-off. We have pulled up for you the 5 quickest ways to lower your Auto Insurance Premium.
Tip 1: Hike up your deductible
Stop trying to get the lowest deductible, instead go in for a comfortably higher out of pocket payment plan. Deductible is the amount that you would pay before your insurance policy kicks in. This is an easy way to reduce your periodic premium amount, however, be warned, in such a case, if something happens to your vehicle – you need to shell out more to cover the initial expenses, prior to going in for a claim.
Tip 2: Park your vehicle in a garage
One of the simplest ways to cut down on insurance premium is to park your vehicle in a garage, personal or commercial establishments. This helps in knocking off, in some cases, close to 20% of the premium. In a garage, the chances of your vehicle getting stolen or sideswiped are considerably lower. From a transaction perspective, parking in a garage could mean a difference between a preferred rate and a standard rate.
Tip 3: Shop around and bargain
Nothing beats the traditional shop around to bargain. Make sure you at least have three to four price quotes with you, prior to fixing on the service provider. Ensure that you are not shopping for price alone, but the whole deal.
Tip 4: Take a Defensive Driving Course
Not many people are aware of this. By volunteering for a state-approved defensive driving course, you can avail discounts in premium of up to 10%. However, do cross check with your insurer on this.
Tip 5: Downsizing Coverage
Well, downsizing coverage is perhaps the easiest way to lower your auto insurance premium. However, we suggest you to be careful and prudent, while taking this decision. This might save money, but, would also limit coverage.