Budget Concerns: How Much Insurance is Enough?

3 Ways to Lower Your Auto Insurance Rate as a Young Driver

23 December 2015

Dustin Duncan

When you're a young adult just starting out in life, saving money is often always a priority. Whether you're a student or have recently joined the full-time workforce, it's ideal to avoid spending less than necessary on your regular bills. The good news is that it's possible to reduce your auto insurance bill through a handful of simple strategies. Don't worry—you don't have to be a seasoned negotiator to get a better rate. Rather, by making a few simple changes and getting in touch with your local insurance representative, you'll soon be seeing a lower number when your bill arrives each month.

Apply for a Student Discount

Many insurance companies commonly offer student discounts for their young drivers. If you're currently in college or you've recently graduated, call your insurance rep to find out how to be eligible for this discount. Your insurance company may require a college transcript or other proof of enrollment or graduation, but the good news is that these documents are easy to obtain and share with your insurance rep. If you're still in school and your insurance company doesn't offer a student discount, it can be worth shopping around with other companies to determine if such a discount is available elsewhere.

Commute to Campus

If you live on campus, you might not have a vehicle because everything is within walking distance. But if you're living in another part of the city, a vehicle will allow you to get to school with ease. However, this daily usage of your vehicle can be causing your insurance rate to be higher than you might like. Many companies provide discounts for drivers who leave the vehicles at home and find an alternative way of commuting. If there's a subway line or bus route between campus and your home, consider this commuting method and be sure to let your insurance rep know. While there's a cost to public transportation, it's often less than the cost of parking on campus and can give you some extra study time each morning.

Enroll in a Defensive Driving Course

Students might bristle at the idea of adding to their study workload, but taking a defensive driving course makes you eligible for an insurance discount. Ideally, try to schedule this course during the summer so you aren't overwhelmed with studying. Either way, learning about accident avoidance and otherwise improving your skill as a driver can put you in line for a rate reduction once you finish the course.

For more ideas or assistance, contact insurance providers such as Estabrook & Chamberlain Insurance Inc. 

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