Most Americans could save serious cash just by asking their auto insurer whether they qualify for common discounts, according to a new analysis by InsuranceQuotes.com.
Related: The Best Time to Buy Car Insurance
The survey found that just 16 percent of consumers have asked for discounts even though there are plenty of ways to get their rates down.
“These discounts can add up to hundreds of dollars per year, and in many cases, they reward people for things they were already doing,” InsuranceQuotes.com senior analyst Laura Adams said in a statement.
Here are 5 things that could get you a discount just by picking up the phone:
- Low mileage.
A driver who logs 5,000 miles per year can pay an average of 8 percent less than someone who drives 15,000 miles per year. The discount varies by state, with California residents seeing a 25 percent discount and North Carolina offering no savings at all. - Getting married.
Letting your insurer know that you got married could also cut your payments. Married 20-year-olds pay an average of more than 20 percent less than a single 20-year-old, although the gap gets smaller for older drivers. - Your job.
Just 8 percent of drivers have asked for an occupation discount, which are often available to teachers and nurses. - Being a good student.
InsuranceQuotes.com found that only 20 percent have inquired about a good-student discount. Nationwide, for example, offers a good-student discount to drivers between 16 and 24 who are full-time high school or college students and maintain a minimum B average. - Taking a defensive-driving course.
Discounts for taking and passing defensive driving courses vary by state. In New York, for example, Geico offers up to a 10 percent savings for customers who complete an accident-prevention course.
You may also be able to reduce your premiums by bundling your home and auto policies with the same insurer, increasing your deductible or switching to a pay-as-you-drive policy.
Some cars are also cheaper to insure. This year the Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD is the cheapest vehicle to insure, with an annual cost of just $1,134.
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