If you are not taking advantage of all the car insurance discounts you have coming, you are literally leaving money on the table. Car insurers provide all kinds of discounts for drivers to take advantage of, and it is important for those drivers to make sure they are getting every discount to which they are entitled.

One of the best ways to ensure you are getting the discounts you deserve is to call your insurance company as if you were shopping for a new policy. Before providing any identifying information or information about your car, ask the representative for information about all the discounts they offer. Write down each of these available discounts and check to see which ones apply to you. Then hang up and call back, this time as an existing customer. Go over your policy with the telephone agent and make sure you are getting all the applicable discounts.

Automatic Payment Discounts

One of the most frequently overlooked discounts is the discount for setting up automatic payments. Making your automobile insurance payment automatically is convenient for you and for the insurance company, and many insurers will provide a hefty discount if you agree to have the premium charged to your credit card or deducted from your bank account.

Many insurers also provide a discount if you agree to pre-pay your policy in full for each enrollment period, so if you have the cash flow to make that happen you could save some additional money. Be sure to ask the representative you speak to about all available payment options and the discounts available for each.

Defensive Driving Discounts

For many of us it has been decades since we took our last driver education class, and many things have changed in the intervening years. Cars have become faster and more sophisticated, and the amount of traffic just keeps increasing. The challenges drivers face in the modern world are much different than those we faced as teenagers all those years ago.

That is why a defensive driving course can be so valuable, and why so many car insurance companies provide a discount for drivers who successfully complete one.  Defensive driving courses teach students the maneuvers they can use to avoid an accident, and that is good for both the insurer and the insured.

Anti-Theft Devices

If you have full coverage on your car, installing an anti-theft device may provide you with a discount sufficient to pay for the cost of the device. Car insurers have a vested interest in keeping their policyholders’ cars from being stolen, and they are willing to provide a discount to drivers who install devices designed to keep those cars where they belong.

It is important, however, to speak to your agent and determine ahead of time which devices are eligible for the discount. Each insurance company will have its own policies in this regard, and it is important to have the right information before you start shopping for a theft deterrent device.

Safe Driver Discount

While other factors are important, in the end it all boils down to how well you drive your car and how safe you are on the road.  Every driver knows that having an accident can impact their rates, but avoiding an accident can have an impact as well.

Many car insurance companies provide discounts for members who have not had an accident during the time period they set. If you are a safe driver with no accidents on your record, be sure to ask if you qualify for this discount.

By taking advantage of the discounts to which you are entitled, you will be able to save money on your car insurance while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are properly protected.