So the big day has finally come. You've passed your driver's examination and now you're getting your first car. Ex-ci-ting! Reality check-- Do you have auto insurance? Since it is mandatory in every Canadian province and territory to insure your vehicle, it is best to have your insurance sorted out before making this all-important purchase. You have heard the advice to "shop around" for the right deal on the car, why not insurance as well?
As a first-time auto insurance customer, you will likely start out paying higher premiums simply because you are just beginning to build your driving history. And while you may not have a clear picture of your driving needs and habits just yet, (is driving part of your occupational duties, as opposed to just commuting from home to workplace and/or school and back), it is worth the time to do a little "due diligence" in your research to see if anticipated travel and behavioral patterns can lead to some cost-cutting measures and ease the stress on your finances. There just may be some discounts available to you right from the start.
Here are some suggestions of the kind of questions you might consider asking yourself in regards to how you intend to use your first car.
Low-Mileage (infrequent use)
· Where do I shop for groceries? Do I always need to take the car?
· What other places or activities (e.g., gym, library, church) can I get to with alternate transportation?
· Do I intend to travel on highways a lot? (e.g., going to the lake/cottage, going to other cities)
· Am I going to socialize with a lot of my friends after work and on the weekends? Do these activities involve alcohol? Drugs? Am I at risk for impairment?
· How do I feel about being a designated driver?
Anti-Theft
· When out visiting friends, what sort of things would I leave in the car?
· What sort of security measures might I want/need? (e.g., steering wheel club, remote starter, loud alarm)
· Do I really need all the fancy gadgets like DVD players in my car? Will they be a distraction?
· What measures will I take to reduce usage (if any) of mobile devices in my car?
Defensive Driving/Improvement
· When I was learning how to drive, what were some of my bad habits? What am I doing to continually improve myself as a driver?
· Am I prepared for emergencies? (roadside emergency kit in the trunk, i.e., spare tire, jack, flares, blanket, etc...)
· How old is the car? (if buying a used car, how many repairs may it require/how often?)
In addition to working on improving your driving history and making sure you are a safe and courteous driver, auto insurance discounts may also be offered if you purchase other types of insurance from the same company (e.g., life, home, medical) or become a member of an automobile club.
A super-duper idea in shopping around for deals from auto insurance companies is not to be solely influenced by the cost of the premiums. Consider other factors before making your final decision. What is the company's customer service like? Helpful? Friendly? Convenient? Timely? Available on-line? Know what is important to you and make sure your key expectations are met.
Examining some of the key areas of your driving habits, finding appropriate discounts that might reduce the initially high costs of auto insurance will help you in the long-term to make the experience of owning your first car more pleasant. Happy (and safe) motoring!
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bryan_A_Smith
Did you find this article helpful?00
Get Involved
0 commentsSuggest a topicArticle ToolsPrint this articleE-mail to a friendEzinePublisherReport this articleCite this articleStay InformedGet notified by email when new articles are added to this category or written by this author.Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Insurance: Car-Auto
Bryan A Smith
Car Auto Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesCheap Car Owners Insurance Rates Online - Your Best OptionAmica Insurance and USAA Insurance - A ComparisonIn Need Of Sports Car Insurance For Young Drivers - Broker Or Direct?Auto Transport Insurance "Car Shipping Companies"Why This Lawyer Says You Should Buy Car Insurance From an Independent BrokerThe Comparison Between Traditional Car Insurers and Direct InsurersHouse Insurance in Ontario - Insurance Coverages and ExclusionsFinding the Best Auto and Car InsuranceAuto Transport & Car ShippingVery Cheap Car Insurance: Best Business Insurance TipsRecent ArticlesAuto Insurance - Describing Insurance BenefitsGirly Men Save On Car InsuranceGap Insurance - To Defer or Not to Defer, That Is the QuestionAffordable Car Insurance for Teen DriversBenefits of Short Term Car InsuranceSaving Money on Car Insurance TipsCar Insurance - What You Need to Know About ItMerits Of Car InsuranceCar Insurance Advice That Is Proven BeneficialThe Hidden Costs of Car InsuranceSubmitted On February 28, 2012. Viewed 3 times. Word count: 589.MLA Style Citation:Smith, Bryan A.".".28 Feb. 2012EzineArticles.com.2 Mar. 2012
Smith, B. A. (2012, February 28). . Retrieved March 2, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Questions-to-Help-New-Drivers-Find-Discounts-on-Auto-Insurance&id=6910256Chicago Style Citation:
Smith, Bryan A. "." EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Questions-to-Help-New-Drivers-Find-Discounts-on-Auto-Insurance&id=6910256
EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.comAll Rights Reserved WorldwideAbout UsFAQContact UsMember BenefitsPrivacy PolicyShopSite MapBlogTrainingVideo ArchiveAdvertisingAffiliatesCartoonsAuthorsSubmit ArticlesMembers LoginPremium MembershipExpert AuthorsEndorsementsEditorial GuidelinesTerms of ServicePublishersFollow UsTerms Of ServiceEzines / Email AlertsManage SubscriptionsEzineArticles RSS
View the Original article
EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.com
EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.com