As a car owner in India, it’s a must to get insurance for it. But you don’t have to overpay for it. Many people just assume that by cutting down on coverage they can secure the cheapest insurance for car. However, this will only backfire during a claim. The focus should always be on lowering your premium while holding on to the necessary protection.

Here, we bring to you the smartest ways that will help bring down the cost of your car insurance and maintaining the necessary benefits.

Practical Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Premium

You don’t have to remove essential coverage for reducing the premium of your car insurance. let’s discuss the simple and helpful adjustments that you can make to lower your premium while making sure your coverage stays effective all along:

Understand What Actually Affects Your Premium

Before you directly jump on reducing costs, understand the factors that have a real impact on your premium:

• Type and age of your car 
• Cost of repair and spare-parts
• You location and frequency of usage
• Claim history
• Add-ons on have selected

Once you understand these details, you are all set to make necessary adjustments instead of cutting down costs thoughtlessly.

Choose the Right Type of Car Insurance

Logically, all cars don’t need the same level of coverage. It depends on the model you have:

• Usually, the new cars get maximum benefit from comprehensive cover
• For older cars, you may not need every add-on there is

Chasing the cheapest insurance for car is not important. Your policy has to fit the current value and usage of your car.

Use Add-ons Wisely and Not Excessively

Don’t go so extra with the add-ons. While they increase protection, they increase the premium as well. Here’s an example:

Bumper to bumper insurance is ideal for new cars only (upto 5 years old). For older vehicles, it may just not be cost-effective.

Opting for unnecessary add-ons will bring down the total costs while you will still have the essential coverage.

Maintain a Claim-Free Record

A clean history of no unnecessary claims or no claims at all history can reduce premiums by a big margin over time. The benefits include:

• No Claim Bonus (NCB)
• Renewal premiums are lower
• You are in a position of better negotiation

If possible, simply avoid making small claims. This will preserve your long-term savings.

Opt for a Voluntary Deductible

When you decide on a voluntary deductible, it means you agree to pay a fixed amount when claims are made. This will:

• Reduce your premium amount
• Be very suitable if you drive carefully
• Help you avoid minor claims

It’s one is surely a practical way to reduce cost while maintaining the major coverage.

Review Insured Declared Value (IDV)

IDV represents current market value of your car and so:

• Setting it too high will also increase premium
• Setting it too low will reduce your claim payout

Don’t pick extreme values. Select the correct IDV to keep a balanced between cost and protection your car insurance.

Compare Policies at Every Renewal

With time, it’s common for premiums and features to change. When you compare polices, you are likely to:

• Spot better value
• Prevent overpaying just out of habit
• Find out about unnecessary coverages

Usually, this is the simplest way through which you can find smarter alternatives without any sacrifice on the coverage.

Install Safety Features in Your Car

Often, cars have to pay lower premiums if they come with safety and anti-theft features like:

• Approved anti-theft devices
• Parking is mainly in secured areas
• Usage patterns are responsible

Logically speaking, when there is a lower risk, it can translate into lower cost of car insurance.

Adjust Coverage with Your Car Age

As your car gets older, your insurance needs to be updated. You should:

• Re-evaluate add-ons every year
• Once the car is older than 5 years, consider removing bumper to bumper insurance
• Hold on to third-party and essential coverage 

This will keep you protected while you are able to avoid unnecessary costs.

Avoid Gaps in Your Policy

Don’t let your policy lapse because then there will be higher chances of an increase in future premiums. By on-time renewals:

• You can preserve your NCB
• Uninterrupted coverage can be maintained
• Re-inspection hassles can be prevented

Basically, your consistency will save you money in the long run.

Why Car Insurance Premiums Differ from One Person to Another

Car insurance premium for one person is never the same for the other. This amount can vary widely between policyholders even for similar cars. There will always be difference in how insurance provider evaluates the overall risk involved. They consider factors like type of vehicle, location, usage patterns, claim history and even policy structure. 

Keep in mind that that premiums are always personalised. This is the reason why the cheapest insurance for car may not be the same for all and why even the same coverage can be priced differently.

Conclusion

You don’t have to adjust with safety or coverage at all to reduce your car insurance premium. Start by understanding your needs, carefully choose the add-ons and do a regular review of your policy regularly. This will help you balance between cost and protection in the best way. While you may be tempted to look for the cheapest insurance for car, consciously shift your focus making on value-driven decisions. Plan smart to ensure affordable and reliable car insurance.