This is my first time to buy car insurance? How much should I be expecting? Please help.

Morgan

Houston, TX

When it is your first time purchasing car insurance you need to educate yourself with requirements in Houston Texas and the the types of coverage you need.

Rating factors such as the amount of time you have been licensed will likely affect your car insurance quotes. For instance, normally a person that is an inexperienced driver and is purchasing car insurance for the first time will pay more than a long time experienced licensed driver that has been under other people’s insurance policies and is now purchasing their own car insurance policy.

Generally though, the average annual cost, according to the Insurance Information Institute for car insurance premiums nationwide in 2007 was estimated at $847 per insurance policy. Thus a new, inexperienced driver like you may expect to pay about twice the average. Good thing is that there is no limit to the number of free quotes you can get.

Daniel in Houston

A. You’ve just bought your first new car and now you need to get car insurance for that vehicle. You’re not sure what to do and you want to make sure you get the most affordable rate. You don’t want your lack of knowledge to cause you to have to pay more for your car insurance than what you have to; especially since you need to put very expensive fuel in that car to keep it running.

Fortunately, lack of knowledge doesn’t have to get in your way. There are some basic things you should know about buying car insurance for the first time. They are not difficult and you’ll find that the difference between knowing these things and not knowing these things means more money you can keep in your pocket or use to put fuel in your car. It doesn’t matter how you choose to use that money.

Some discounts and tips for lower rates

1. Good grades for students

2. Good driving history – no prior accidents or tickets

3. Good credit history – you pay your bills on time ?  Bad credit or slow pay history will increase your premiums

4. Member of a credit union or bank and in some cases fraternal organizations like Rotary, Lions Club, VFW etc.

5. Military personnel

6. Raise your deductible amount to as high as you can – this alone can reduce your payments drastically

7. Combine other insurance together with the same company like home and auto

8. Pay in advance, some carriers will lower your rate if you pay a year in advance

9. Buy online – companies like Progressive are offering discounts to customers who buy online rather than via an agent