You really can lower your car insurance costs
Summary
Even a minor fender bender can prove costly to fix, said Robert C. Passmore, assistant vice president of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Insurers use multiple criteria to set auto rates, including a driver’s age, driving record and typical annual mileage. If you find a lower rate, state insurance department websites often offer information about consumer complaints, to help you evaluate a company’s record of handling claims before you switch. Just be sure to put money aside so you can afford to pay the deductible if you have a claim, said Jon Linkov, the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. A: All states except New Hampshire require minimum levels of liability coverage, which pays for another person’s property damage, medical care and other costs caused by you.