A lot has happened in my life the past eight months, which has led me to making some important decisions. For nearly seven years I lived in the Pacific Northwest; receiving my college education and working several different professional jobs. There came a point this past Fall when I realized that I was ready for a change. I was seeking bigger and brighter things in my life, and the dreary Northwest was not providing me the opportunities I was seeking. I left my job, packed my SUV with all of my possessions (yes, amazingly I fit everything in and on top of my car), and said good bye to my friends. It was California or Bust!

It wasn’t like this was a totally risky or “out of the blue” move. I had spent my childhood in Northern California and a large portion of my family still resides there. During early winter I moved down to the Sacramento area and began the hunt for job in the marketing field. It wasn’t long before I landed a great position with an established company. As in with most new jobs you are given thick offer packets containing all the information regarding the company, government documents and participating insurance company information. That’s when it hit me; I had never really made any long term decisions regarding my healthcare coverage. I was covered under my parents insurance until I turned 25 and after that I purchased just major medical insurance on my own, covering myself only in case of a major injury or Tax-Time: you’re either waiting for your gravy train tax refund, or you’re fearing the event of paying even more to Uncle Sam. Car insurance can take on a similar dichotomy, but the difference is that you don’t get a refund for overpaying for coverage — it just renews and overcharges you until you find a more affordable policy. Most people don’t see this, and miss out on hundreds of dollars in savings that could be used like a big fat tax refund.

Auto Insurance Quotes are Not Final: How to Make Them Lower
When you shop and compare multiple auto insurance quotes, recognize that even if the quotes are about the same as your current policy, or lower for that matter, they can still be even lower. There may be too much coverage, or extra options tucked into the quote that you really don’t need.

 
Although higher limits provide you with greater protection against possible losses, you may be carrying limits that are not in line with the value of your total assets and your lifestyle. As you review your quote, consult with an insurance agent before making any final coverage decisions. Additionally, you may be a member of an auto club that provides towing and labor protection, therefore, paying for it in your auto policy could be unnecessary. The same may hold true for car rental coverage: do you really need it?

Trying to Make “Accidents” More Affordable
Many drivers make the mistake of carrying the lowest deductibles in order to help offset the costs associated with filing a claim. The fact remains, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. Indeed the cost of an accident will be that much more expensive; however, if the damage is minor, you could be spending the same out-of-pocket amount regardless. Save on your policy, not the accident; raise your deductibles if you can afford to.

Paying for the Policy in Monthly Installments
Just like any bill, it is common to pay for insurance in monthly installments, either by check or automatic bank withdrawal. Be aware that additional administrative fees are commonly applied to payments when you split your premium into installments (i.e. monthly, semi-annual, annual). A monthly fee of even $7 can add up to $84 over 12 months.

Overpaying for Tickets and Moving Violations
Perhaps you deserve a higher rate for your driving record, but don’t let the insurance company unduly punish you. Although having moving violations on your driving record can limit your selection of insurance companies, don't believe that finding affordable car insurance is as intimidating as appearing in traffic court and paying fines. To the contrary, there are companies that specialize in insuring higher risk drivers at reasonable prices. The only way to identify such companies though, is to compare multiple quotes from multiple companies.

Don’t count on your tax refund to save money! Instead, you may be able to save hundreds by simply taking 10 minutes to analyze your auto insurance policy. Even if last year seemed uneventful, the chances are good that your individual circumstances have changed enough to qualify you for lower car insurance rates. And even if nothing changed on your end, many large insurance companies may have reduced their rates since you last shopped.