Washington DC Auto Insurance

The cost of auto insurance in Washington, DC jumped 14% to an average price of $2952 from October of 2007 to October of 2008. In fact, 2008 showed the largest spike for insurance premiums across the country in over five years. The factors that affect auto insurance premiums need to be understood by all of us who have to pay them.

Factors that affect auto insurance premiums:

• Your driving record;
• If you have had accidents in the past;
• Your age and gender;
• Whether you are single or married;
• How many miles you drive in a given year;
• Your credit rating;
• The type and power rating of the car that you drive;
• And more depending on individual insurance companies;

You can make auto insurance cheaper by following these tips to save on car insurance:
Your policy for auto insurance in Washington, DC, as well as in all of the states in the country, can be made to cost you less by understanding the various types of coverage and then selecting only those that you need. Some types of coverage to consider include:

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage;
• Gap coverage;
• Collision coverage;
• Comprehensive coverage;
• Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage;
• Roadside assistance coverage;
• Rental reimbursement coverage;
• General liability coverage;

You also need to realize that prices will vary considerably between insurance companies. It’s good to know that having a longstanding relationship with a given insurance company will lead to lower insurance premiums in the long run, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to shop around right now. Dramatic savings can be recognized by comparing quotes from different insurance companies.

Never allow your insurance policy to lapse. Even if it is only for one or two days, you will be entered into a higher risk bracket and thereby charged more for your insurance premiums. Always renew your policy on time and understand exactly when your payments are due.

Take the time to go over every letter of your insurance policy and find out which discounts that you are qualified to receive. Most people are qualified for at least one type of auto insurance discount. However, nobody from the insurance company is going to come chasing you down to tell you about them. It’s up to you to inquire and learn about discounts that you are qualified for.

Auto insurance in Washington, DC it’s expensive some of the most pricey in the United States. For that reason especially, you need to develop an understanding of the factors that affect auto insurance premiums. By doing so, you will learn to think more like an insurance company and save yourself money in the long run.