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From “The Middleman Report” in The Palm Beach Letter: If you’re feeling hard-hit by the mounting “fixed” expenses you shell out every month for services and utilities, you’re not alone.
Shrink your auto insurance payments with these easy tricks:
- Take a class. The AARP Smart Driver Course could save you money on your car insurance. Available nationwide and designed for drivers 50 and older, there are no tests to pass. And an AARP membership is not required.
You can also take the course online ($17.95 for members, $21.95 for nonmembers) or in a classroom ($15 for members, $20 for nonmembers). Ask your insurance company how you could save money by taking this driver’s safety course.
- Pay as you go. If you’re a good driver and drive less than 10,000 miles per year, consider a pay-as-you-drive policy. These plans are no longer based on demographic or historical data, but rather on your actual driving.
Progressive, for example, uses a tool called Snapshot. It monitors your mileage, braking, and other driving activities to determine your level of risk. They estimate the average Snapshot customer receives a discount of 10-15%, or an average savings of $150 per year.
- Look local. Your ZIP code can affect your car insurance rates. Use the Nosy Neighbor tool to look at the average insurance rates in your area. If your premium is on the higher end, do some comparison shopping. Use this quote tool to compare rates online.