Good tip on the defensive driving courses—I did one a couple years back and it knocked off about 10%. Another thing people miss is mileage tracking. If you're not commuting daily (like me, mostly weekend road trips...), updating your annual mileage can trim costs noticeably.
"Another thing people miss is mileage tracking. If you're not commuting daily (like me, mostly weekend road trips...), updating your annual mileage can trim costs noticeably."
Good call on mileage—I learned that the hard way. Had my '68 Mustang listed as a daily driver for years, even though it barely leaves the garage except sunny weekends. Finally updated the mileage and was surprised how much it dropped my premium. Wish I'd known sooner...
Mileage definitely makes a difference, but have you checked into seasonal coverage options? Especially in Alaska, where a lot of us park certain vehicles during winter months, insurers sometimes offer storage or seasonal policies. I had a neighbor who kept his motorcycle in the garage from October to April, and he switched to a storage policy during those months. Saved him quite a bit, and he still had coverage for theft or damage while it was parked.
Also, have you looked into defensive driving courses? I know it sounds like a hassle, but some insurers give decent discounts if you've completed one recently. I did one online last year—took maybe a couple hours total—and it knocked a noticeable chunk off my premium. Might be worth checking if your insurer offers something similar.
"Mileage definitely makes a difference, but have you checked into seasonal coverage options?"
Good point about seasonal coverage—I looked into it last year when we parked our family SUV during winter. Ended up saving around 20% annually, plus still had peace of mind against theft or garage mishaps...worth considering.
Seasonal coverage can be a solid move, especially if your car's parked for months at a time. Just make sure you clearly communicate the dates to your insurer—some companies are picky about exact start and end times. Also, double-check what's covered during storage; theft and fire are usually included, but weather-related issues (like flooding or heavy snow damage) might not be. Better safe than sorry...a quick call to clarify can save headaches down the road.
