If you're about to purchase a new or used vehicle, you're going to need car insurance. Insurance is required by Florida and most other states, and it also covers you if you're involved in an accident. But what should you know about insuring a vehicle you've purchased from your Mazda dealer? 5 Things To Know About Car Insurance for a Vehicle Purchased From Your Mazda Dealer 1. Many Factors Affect Insurance Rates The amount you pay for insurance is determined by many factors, including your age, gender, zip code, and driving history. The make and model of the vehicle you're insuring also influences how much you'll pay. If you're concerned about insurance costs, you may want to check with your insurance agent while your car shopping and get an estimate of how much it will cost to cover the models you're test-driving. more 2. A Higher Deductible Lowers Your Premium Agreeing to an insurance policy with a higher deductible usually results in a lower premium. A higher deductible means that you'll pay a bigger portion of any damages you incur before your insurance coverage kicks in. Because you're sharing more of the risk by agreeing to pay a higher deductible, insurers will usually reward you with a lower premium. But you'll want to make sure the deductible is an amount you're able to pay in the event of an accident. 3. Discounts Can Bring Insurance Costs Down Insurance companies frequently offer discounts for things like the completion of a defensive driving course, car safety features like anti-theft devices, or electronic payments. Some of these discounts can result in considerable savings, so it's a good idea to explore the discount programs your insurer offers. 4. Letting Your Policy Lapse May Cost You in the Long Run Insurers sometimes view drivers who let their insurance lapse as risky. This puts you at risk of paying much higher premiums in the future. To avoid this, you'll want to stay on top of your insurance payments and policy renewals, so there is no lapse. And if you're planning to let a policy expire because you want to switch to a new insurer, line up new coverage first. 5. It Pays To Shop Around Even though most insurers consider the same criteria when determining your premium, companies weigh those pieces of information differently. So when you're shopping around for a policy, you may receive very different quotes from different insurers. It pays to shop around and get quotes from various insurance companies before deciding which one to go with. Having a basic understanding of insurance policies and how they're priced makes it easier to line up a policy for your next vehicle. When you're ready to purchase a new car or truck, head to Tom Bush Mazda of Jacksonville.
