As a policyholder, it’s always a good idea to keep tabs on your insurance premium and make sure you’re taking advantage of any available discounts.
But what happens when you receive a premium reduction of up to 50%? In this post, we’ll explore the factors that can trigger such a significant reduction in your insurance premium.
Having a Good Claims History
A good claims history is one of the most significant factors that can lead to a premium reduction. If you’ve maintained a clean record and have never filed any claims, then this will definitely count in your favor.
This is because insurers like to see policyholders who don’t make frequent claims, as they are seen as low-risk customers. In contrast, policyholders with a history of recurring claims will be considered high-risk, which means they might have to pay a higher premium to make up for the increased likelihood of future claims.
In general, insurers will offer premium reductions for policyholders with clean claims history records, especially if they’ve gone without any incidents for several years.
Although the exact discount varies depending on the insurer, policyholders can usually expect to see a modest reduction in their premium if they have a claims-free record.
Improving Your Credit Score
For many years, insurance providers have been using credit scores to determine premium costs. Research has shown that people with better credit scores tend to file fewer claims than people with poor credit scores.
As such, insurance companies will often reduce premiums for those who have significantly improved their credit scores. For instance, if you’ve managed to bump up your credit score from a bad to a good rating, then you can expect to receive a premium reduction.
It’s worth noting, however, that different insurers have different weighting scales when it comes to credit scores.
Some providers will give less weight to a customer’s credit score, focusing instead on other factors, such as claims history or driving record. As such, it’s always a good idea to explore different insurance providers and consider which ones offer the best incentives for policyholders with good credit scores.
Installing Safety Features in Your Vehicle
Another way to receive a significant reduction in your insurance premium is by installing safety features in your vehicle.
Safety features, such as airbags, anti-theft devices, and backup cameras, can greatly reduce the likelihood of accidents and theft, which is why insurers will often reward policyholders who invest in these features.
Some insurers may even offer discounts of up to 50% for drivers who have advanced safety features installed in their vehicles. However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all vehicles are eligible for these discounts.
In some cases, insurers may only offer safety discounts for specific makes and models, or for vehicles that meet specific safety standards.
Lowering Your Mileage
How much you drive can also impact your insurance premium.
The more miles you put on your vehicle, the higher the chance of accidents, which is why many insurers will offer premium reductions to policyholders who put fewer miles on their vehicles each year.
The mileage reduction discount varies from insurer to insurer, but most insurance providers will offer some form of a reduction for low-mileage drivers.
Typically, drivers who put fewer than 7,500 miles on their car each year are eligible for this discount. However, it’s worth noting that some insurers may require drivers to prove that they’ve reduced their mileage before offering the discount.
Maintaining a Good Driving Record
In addition to having a clean claims history, maintaining a good driving record is another way to receive a premium reduction.
Insurers will often reduce premiums for drivers who have not been involved in any accidents, received any tickets or violated traffic rules in recent years.
Insurers typically calculate this discount by looking at the driver’s driving history over the past three to five years. Drivers who maintain a good driving record over this period can expect to receive a premium reduction of up to 50%.
However, if you’ve been involved in an accident or have received any tickets in the past three to five years, then you may have to pay a higher premium.
Traveling Less
If you travel less frequently, then you might save some money on your insurance premium. Insurance companies have started to recognize that people who drive less can reduce the chances of accidents and, subsequently, save money.
As such, some insurers have started offering pay-per-mile insurance coverage or low-mileage insurance discounts. In some instances, policyholders can pay as low as half of what they would typically pay for traditional car insurance policies.
Bundling Policies
Finally, bundled policies could also lead to a premium reduction. Bundling policies involves taking out multiple policies, such as car insurance and home insurance, from the same insurer.
Many insurers offer discounts to policyholders who bundle policies. The exact amount varies, but customers can usually expect a discount of 10-25% on each policy.
This discount could add up quickly and lead to a significant reduction of up to 50% in your premium for bundled policies.
Conclusion
Premium reductions are an excellent way to reduce the cost of your insurance policy. While there are many ways to receive a premium reduction, the one that’s right for you depends on your individual circumstances and priorities.
If you’re looking to reduce your insurance premium, it’s worth considering the factors discussed in this post and exploring which discounts are available to you.
A little bit of research is all it takes to find a policy with a premium that’s affordable and competitive.