The most common mistakes that make car insurance expensive
The following overview shows where car owners make mistakes most often and regret this with a surcharge for car insurance:
- Stay with the insurance
We have already mentioned that if you remain loyal to your insurance company, you have to reckon with the fact that it will be expensive. Most insurers increase the premiums bit by bit, so that they are a little higher every year. If you don't compare and switch to a cheaper provider, you have to accept paying significantly more.
- Sign long-term contracts
Car owners often look for ways to get a discount when they sign their new car insurance contract. Insurers are happy to grant this by keeping you with the insurance company for as long as possible. At first glance, multi-year contracts appear to be lucrative, as they appear to mean savings. A fallacy, because while other insurers are reducing premiums next year, they will remain the same with their own provider. And without the option to cancel and switch to a cheaper provider!
- missed deadline
There is a fixed termination date for termination. Anyone who does not comply with this (usually three months before the end of the contract year) must expect an extension of the contract. This extension usually refers to a further year. Some providers have shorter deadlines. Termination before the end of the contract is not possible, but can be submitted. However, it only becomes valid at the regular expiry of the contract. An early termination of the contract is only possible in certain cases (e.g. change of vehicle, increase in premiums or damage).
- Take out additional insurance
Car insurers are happy to offer small supplements: passenger accident insurance or insurance for towing in the event of damage. However, most supplementary insurances are included in other insurances. An additional insurance for the vehicle occupants is only necessary in the rarest of cases, whoever has a TCS membership does not have to agree any assistance coverage. The seemingly cheap little additions cost a lot of money!
- Fully comprehensive insurance for old vehicles
Fully comprehensive insurance is undoubtedly useful and ensures that damage to the car you cause yourself is also covered by the insurance. But from a certain vehicle age (depending on the new value of the car), comprehensive insurance is no longer necessary. It should only be continued by vehicle owners who frequently cause damage to their own car or who drive a very expensive car. Otherwise, it is usually cheaper to pay for a repair yourself and to do without comprehensive insurance. However, partial coverage should be continued.
- Ignore fine print
An insurance contract has so many sides! Who reads through all of them? Most policyholders compare the data they provide about themselves and the vehicle with those mentioned in the insurance contract. If everything is correct here, the contract will be filed. But the general terms and conditions often contain points that are very important. An example of this is the bonus level system, which shows how much the premiums increase in the event of a claim. This system varies from provider to provider. Some even waive an increase in premiums if it is the first damage that has been reported since the conclusion of the contract. Roadside assistance is sometimes included and sometimes not. If you ignore the fine print, you have to accept paying more.
Conclusion: Reading and comparing the contract helps to save
If you want to save on car insurance, you should definitely compare the offers and preferably regularly. The notice period should be kept in mind, because if it is exceeded, the contract will be extended. More activity as an insured person helps to save money!