When you are budgeting for a new car, do you think about how your new wheels will change your auto insurance rate? I have been involved in auto sales, arranging auto loans, and auto insurance for many years. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen someone stretch to make a car payment fit into their budget only to have the cost of car insurance blow that budget to pieces.
It happened to me once with a motorcycle. I called around for quotes, and found what I thought was a great deal. I bought the motorcycle, paid my vehicle insurance, and then got hit with a “we goofed” notice billing me for an additional $2400 per year. I scrambled, found cheaper coverage, and cancelled the policy.
The motorcycle episode taught me three things that have saved my bacon more than once:
- When you narrow your choice down to two or three cars, call your agent and find out what effect each car will have on your auto insurance premiums.