Calling all Arizona residents! Are you getting the right deal on your car insurance policy? Odds are high that you are spending more than you need to every month, and that you could be saving more by asking several important questions of your car insurance agent.
Consider the following potentially available discounts the next time you speak to your agent.
Multiple Automobiles Discount. If you are the owner of two or more vehicles and someone who lives in your home drives these regularly and is either related to you or the vehicles are jointly owned by residents of your home, you could be eligible for this discount. State Farm offers this discount—other insurers may, as well.
For College Students Who Left Their Car at Home. Are you a student who leaves his/her car at home while you live on campus? Do you only drive during holidays and school vacations like summer? Your campus needs to be 100 miles or more away from the place where the automobile is stored to be eligible for State Farm’s policy in particular, but if these criteria are met, you qualify for the Student Away Discount with the majority of providers as long as you are under the age of 25!
Are You a Good Student? Then you will likely be eligible for what is called a Good Student Discount. Generally, if you have a 3.0 GPA or higher, or you are homeschooled and have the right documentation to support your good grades, and are between the ages of 16 and 25, you will qualify for the Good Student Discount. A report card may be required to prove your GPA, and do know that the discount can be revoked if your GPA slips below 3.0 at any future time.
Are You a Safe Driver? Most auto insurance companies will give you a discount for being a safe driver. State Farm, for example, offers the Steer Clear Safe Driver Discount, for which drivers under 25 need to complete a quick safety program and have no at-fault accidents or moving violations on their record in the three years prior to the discount being applied. Drivers over 25 also need to a clean record for the last three years.
Do you have good credit? If your credit score is over 700, most insurance companies will look at you as less of a liability, and you will very likely be eligible for a discount given your good credit standing. Be sure you ask your insurance agent if you qualify.
Have You Combined Your Home and Auto Insurance Policies? Some auto insurance providers will give you a discounted rate on your auto insurance if you combine your home and auto policies. They will be glad to have you paying for two policies and not just one, so a discount is well worth it to an insurer to provide.
Try to Pay Your Bill in Full and Up Front. Generally, auto insurance companies love when you pay your bill in full, out of the gate. So if you can afford to do so, there is likely a discount available to you as a result.
Passive Restraint Discount. Do you have a "factory-installed air bag or other passive restraint system which meets federal safety standards”? State Farm, and likely other auto insurers, will allow you a discount on your premium if so since your car is deemed safe for passengers. Does Your Job Require Little Driving? Do you work from home? If your job requires very little driving, then there is likely a discount for you since are less of a liability to an insurance company than someone who drives a great deal for work. Be sure to ask your insurance agent if your occupation qualifies you for this discount.
Are you in the armed forces or ROTC? If so, then you are very likely eligible for a discount. According to BankRate.com, "Geico gives discounts of up to 15 percent for members of the military or National Guard.” Your rank can also impact the level of discount you get. Apparently, you can get "up to 80 percent discount for an active duty member who is deployed or otherwise away from home and places a vehicle in secure storage.”
As you can see, Arizona residents have many car insurance discounts that are available to them—all you have to do is ask your car insurance agent, and don’t hesitate to do so. It’s a costly mistake that many of us make in not asking, and you certainly can’t lose anything in doing so!