GEICO is one of the best car insurance providers out there. Many happy customers leave glowing GEICO auto insurance reviews and ratings online. They love the affordable premiums and the ease of filing claims. If you’re a car owner, you are required to have basic coverage, which is standard third-party liability insurance.
On top of that, you can choose a more comprehensive plan or collision coverage. Though the premiums cost money, it provides peace of mind. You know that in case of an accident, your GEICO car insurance plan will kick in to save you thousands of dollars in repair bills.
Although you may think you’re stuck paying the premiums they provide when you get a quote, your bill is not set in stone. Similarly, if you’ve been paying for car insurance and need a renewal, you could still try to get a discount. You could save on coverage and get cheaper insurance if you follow these helpful hacks.
Actively Look for Discounts
There’s no shame in asking for discounts. GEICO has a dedicated page that contains many of their offered promotions. For example, you can take advantage of the following promotions:
- Professional affiliation discount
- Alumni education discount
- Good student discount
- Military members discount
Whether you’re looking for a new policy or seeking to renew your existing one, speak with a GEICO insurance representative so you can explore the options and compare the various rates for the different types of plans. Always actively ask for discounts to verify what you’re eligible for. The worst that they can do is say no. But if they say yes, you’re in for a great deal and huge savings.
Invest in Security and Safety Devices
Safety features like an anti-theft security system, airbags, and anti-lock brakes could potentially lower your insurance premiums. Though a few of these mechanisms are now required by law, you could have an older car without them. You must tell GEICO that your car has extra safety features as it could save you cash. Point out that you use a steering wheel locking mechanism too. Security devices minimize your risk against theft and vandalism. As a result, it could cut down your insurance bills. Notably, GEICO provides a 25% discount off your premium’s comprehensive portion if you have an anti-theft alarm installed.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
Consider taking a defensive driving course or additional driver’s education to get a discount on your insurance rates. In general, reckless drivers who commit multiple violations are considered risky. Examples of these are:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Parking violations
- Beating the red light
- Not wearing a seat belt
- Disregarding road signs
The items mentioned above are just a few examples of bad driving behavior. They put you and other people at risk of an accident. Hence, car insurers jack up your premiums because you increase the likelihood of getting into an accident and filing claims with a bad driving record.
In contrast, taking lessons means you are serious about staying safe on the road. With proper education tools under your belt, you stay safe on the road. You also safeguard the well-being of your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians. In addition, you secure property and keep your dream vehicle safe from damage.
Consider Combining and Consolidating Other Plans
If you’re a household with more than one vehicle and still maintain an individual insurance plan for each, you miss out on GEICO’s multi-car discount offer. Combining and consolidating policy coverages for all your vehicles under GEICO could save you up to 25% in your insurance costs. That’s a lot of money saved in the long run.
Moreover, you could get a discount if you live in an area that permits multi-line and multi-policy discounts for more than one type of coverage under the same company. For instance, combining your auto insurance with your home insurance could lessen your premiums. Other pairings could be renter’s, business, or condo insurance. Get a free, no-obligation quote from a GEICO representative to see how much money you could save by combining policies.
Think About a Higher Deductible
A deductible is an amount you pay before insurance kicks if you need to file a claim. Usually, the minimum deductible is around $100. Many avoid having a higher deductible but end up paying higher insurance premiums. You could consider a higher deductible if you want to save on your monthly fees. This could be helpful under the following circumstances:
- You’re a good driver who practices safe driving habits.
- You don’t travel great distances daily, lessening your risk of an accident.
- You have a newer car, which decreases your risk of having a breakdown.
- You don’t live in a high-traffic area, so there are fewer chances of having an accident.
- You have an emergency fund set aside for deductibles.
Inform GEICO of Your Improved Credit Score
If you believe that your credit score improved within the last year, consider checking your credit report and telling GEICO about this improvement. Typically, the higher your credit score, the lower your insurance premiums. Conversely, your insurance costs are also higher if you have bad credit.
This is because insurance companies see people with poor fiscal health as a considerable risk. In contrast, financially responsible people tend to be more accountable while on the road. And since they have a better grasp of their finances, people with good credit usually have funds to pay the deductible expenses in case of an accident.
Consider Signing up for Telematics
Telematics is a device that monitors how you drive or how much distance you drive. This could be in the form of a built-in device, plug-in, or mobile app. For discounts, you could consider a pay-per-mile tracking system that measures how much distance you travel daily. If you don’t travel much, this would be a good option.
Alternatively, you could consider a device that monitors your driving behavior. This tracks how you speed up, how hard you press on the brakes, how you handle tight corners, and the like. If you exemplify good driving habits, you can get a discount. It would help to speak with a GEICO representative to explore your options.