Take a Defensive Driving Course

How much you can save: $200 a year

Some insurance companies will allow you to take a safe-driving course to get a discount, although you’ll have to take it again every few years to keep the discount active. In Texas and Louisiana, for example, where insurance can cost more than $2000 per year, motorists can receive a 10 percent discount after taking a state-approved defensive driving course. (The course costs about $25 and can be taken online.) Many other states have similar programs, although prices vary widely.

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Raise your deductible

A deductible is the amount of money that you are responsible for paying toward an insured loss. The higher your deductible, the more money you can save on your premium, so if you can pay above the minimum $500 or $1,000 deductible, for example, you may reduce the cost of your homeowners policy.

If you live in a disaster-prone area, your insurance policy may have a separate deductible for damage from major disasters, so be sure you take this into account when considering whether to raise your standard homeowners deductible.

Buy your home and auto policies from the same insurer

Many companies that sell homeowners insurance also sell auto insurance and umbrella liability policies. If you buy two or more insurance policies from the same provider, you may be able to reduce your premium. To be sure you’re getting the best price, make certain any combined price from one insurer is lower than buying the coverages separately from different companies.

Make your home more disaster resistant

If you live in a disaster prone area, you will have more insurance options to choose from if you take certain preparedness steps— for example, installing storm shutters and shatterproof glass or reinforcing your roof. Older homes can be retrofitted to make them better able to withstand earthquakes. Consider modernizing your heating, plumbing and electrical systems to reduce the risk of fire and water damage. These precautions may prevent excessive damage and the related work and stress involved in rebuilding.

Do not confuse what you paid for your house with rebuilding costs

Your homeowners policy is based on the cost to rebuild your home, not its real estate value. While your house may be at risk from theft, windstorm, fire and the other perils, the land it sits on is not, so don’t include its value in deciding how much homeowners insurance to buy. If you do, you’ll pay a higher premium than you should.

Ask about discounts for home security devices

Most insurers provide discounts for security devices such as smoke detectors, burglar and fire alarm systems or dead-bolt locks. As some of these measures aren’t cheap and not every system qualifies for a discount, consult your insurance professional for recommendations.

Seek out other discounts

Types and levels of discounts vary from company to company and state to state. Ask your insurance professional about discounts that are available to you—for example, if you’re 55 years old and retired, or you modernize your plumbing or electrical systems, you may be qualify for a price break.

Skip small claims

It may be tempting to file a claim with your insurer even when something relatively minor happens. However, you may be better off in the long run if you pay out of pocket for these smaller expenses — some insurers offer discounts if you remain claim-free for a certain period of time, usually a few years.

How much can filing a claim affect your rates? Submitting a claim for wind damage raises your annual cost of insurance by about 9%, on average, according to a recent NerdWallet analysis. If the damage is relatively minor, you could end up paying more in rate increases than the insurer pays for your claim.

Get rid of high-risk stuff

Though it may be fun, having something your insurer deems an “attractive nuisance” — think trampolines, swimming pools or playground equipment — can add to your homeowners insurance premium.

An attractive nuisance is a feature on your property that children could be tempted to play on. If they get injured while doing so, you could be held legally responsible. Because insurers consider this a liability risk, getting rid of those items could save you money on homeowners insurance.

Review the value of your possessions and your policy limits annually

Review your home inventory and any upgrades to your house or condo. Make sure your homeowners or renters policy covers any major purchases or additions to your home and also check that you’re not spending money for coverage you don’t need. For example, if your five-year-old fur coat is no longer worth the $5,000 you paid for it, you’ll want to reduce or cancel your floater and pocket the difference.

Another great way to save money on your homeowners policy is to take into account the cost of insurance while you’re shopping for a house and before you buy.

Shop around

Rates for identical homeowners insurance coverage can vary widely from one company to the next. Some homeowners could save $1,000 or more a year by finding the cheapest rate.

Comparing different companies’ rates will let you see whether you might be able to save by switching insurers. You can also ask an independent insurance agent or broker to shop around on your behalf.

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Renters insurance, typically seen as a safeguard for tenants, holds significant advantages for landlords as well. Surprisingly, by mandating renters insurance, landlords enhance their property protection while minimizing potential liabilities. Despite its numerous advantages, only a meager 37% of renters opt for insurance coverage, prompting many landlords to make it a requirement. Here’s a comprehensive look at why and how landlords can integrate renters insurance into their leasing agreements.

Renters insurance, a policy paid for by tenants leasing a residential space, extends coverage to various aspects, including:

1. Accidents & Natural Disasters: Coverage encompasses damages arising from plumbing mishaps, floods, fires, smoke, or instances of objects colliding with or falling on the property.

2. Malicious Actions: Insurance covers losses resulting from theft, vandalism, or civil disturbances that inflict damage to the property or the tenant’s personal belongings.

3. Liability: In case of injuries sustained on the premises, renters insurance can cover medical expenses and legal defense costs for the tenant.

4. Additional Living Expenses: It can cater to living expenses such as hotel bills if the property becomes uninhabitable due to unforeseen circumstances.

Benefits of Renters Insurance for Landlords:

1. Enhanced Security for Both Parties: Requiring renters insurance provides a sense of security for landlords and tenants alike. Typically, landlords won’t be held liable for tenants’ lost belongings, as renters can recuperate some losses through insurance, thus averting potential conflicts.

2. Cost Mitigation: While landlords maintain their insurance coverage for rental properties, they often face substantial deductibles and increased premiums when filing claims. Renters insurance bridges this gap by contributing to repair costs following significant disasters, thus saving landlords money in the long run.

3. Legal Protection: Renters insurance shields landlords from potential legal liabilities stemming from injuries sustained by guests or neighbors on the property, covering both legal fees and medical expenses.

4. Streamlined Tenant Screening: Requiring renters insurance streamlines the tenant screening process, attracting responsible tenants willing to invest in insurance coverage, thus minimizing risks associated with uninsured tenants.

5. Improved Landlord-Tenant Relations: Clear communication regarding the necessity of renters insurance fosters better landlord-tenant relationships. Tenants with insurance are typically more accountable for their belongings, reducing conflicts related to damages or liabilities.

6. Pet Liability Coverage: Renters insurance often includes pet liability coverage, alleviating concerns for landlords regarding potential damages or injuries caused by tenants’ pets.

Implementing Renters Insurance Requirements:

Requiring renters insurance is a straightforward process. Landlords should initially review local and state regulations to ensure legality. Once confirmed, landlords can include a renters insurance clause in lease agreements. Regular checks for proof of insurance, both for new tenants and lease renewals, ensure compliance and provide a gentle reminder for tenants to renew their policies, offering peace of mind for both parties regarding property and belongings’ protection.

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Call 832-586-7212 today to get a free quote.

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Another client saved over $400 on their car insurance by switching to one of our insurance carriers. We shop our 40 insurance companies to find you the most savings.

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We shop over 40 insurance companies to find the cheapest rate for you. Get a Free Quote by clicking this link: https://form.jotform.com/Ned_Williams/auto-insurance-quote-   form

Personal and Social Factors

1. Location

Where you live can play a big role in how much you pay for car insurance.

Living in a place where car insurance repairs are more expensive or where there is a high likelihood of theft and vandalism also increases the cost of coverage. Additionally, living in a location prone to severe weather—such as flooding or hail—can contribute to higher car insurance rates.

Whether or not you live in a rural or urban area can also impact how much you pay for car insurance. That’s because the chances of getting in an accident are greater if you live in a large city where there are more cars on the road.

For example, the average annual cost of car insurance nationwide is

$2,118, based on our analysis of full coverage car insurance rates by state. In 2024, the average cost of car insurance in Texas is around

$57 per month for minimum coverage, or $683 per year. This is about

$5 more per month than the national average of $52, and $56 more per year than the national average of $627. For full coverage, the average cost is $184 per month, or $2,205 annually, which is also more than the national average of $167 per month, or $2,008 annually.

2.     Age and Gender

It might not seem fair, but two factors out of your control—age and gender—can help determine the price you pay for auto insurance.

Regardless of where you live or your gender, young drivers generally pay the most for car insurance, largely because of their lack of driving experience. Men also typically pay higher rates than women because males are more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors.

Rates tend to drift lower for all age groups as the years pass. However, beginning around age 65, car insurance costs for senior drivers usually start to climb again.

3.     Marital Status

Married people often pay less for car insurance than their single counterparts. If you’re part of a newly married couple where each partner has a different insurer, it can pay to check with both companies to see which will offer you the best rate.

Even better, compare rates with several companies to ensure you get the best deal.

4.     Education and Occupation

A 2021 Consumer Reports study found that some auto insurance companies quote higher rates to drivers who have less education or lower-paying jobs.

According to the study, these insurers argue that there is a link between these characteristics and the risk the individual driver poses to the insurer. Car insurance companies believe that those with a higher level of education are more likely to file fewer claims, which means they are less expensive to insure.

5.     Credit History

Insurers may use a credit-based insurance score in determining your rate.

In the same way, lenders use a traditional credit score to determine the potential risk a borrower poses, auto insurers use a credit-based insurance score to gauge the likelihood that a driver will file a claim.

Car insurance companies say those with bad credit are more likely to file claims. That means drivers with poor credit generally pay more than those with good credit.

6.     Home Ownership

Those who do not own a home typically pay about more than homeowners for car insurance, according to consumer advocacy group reports.

Homeowners also can take advantage of another perk that can lower their costs: Bundling your homeowners and auto insurance

policies with the same provider might net you a discount.

Driving Skills

• Adding Extra Drivers and Vehicles

Insuring young, inexperienced drivers—such as children in the household who recently have gotten a driver’s license—can be extremely expensive.

It also costs more to insure two or three vehicles than just one. You may get a small discount for insuring multiple cars, which can take some of the sting out of the overall higher cost of insuring more than one vehicle.

8.     Driving Experience and Mileage

Newer drivers—particularly those under 25—tend to pay much higher car insurance rates than other drivers. Yet comparison shopping can assure you don’t spend more than necessary. You can find cheap car insurance for teens and young drivers by comparing car insurance quotes from companies that offer the coverage and features you need.

If you log a lot of miles in your car, the risk of an accident naturally increases. For that reason, insurers also tend to charge higher rates to those who drive a lot.

On the other hand, if you drive very little in a year, you might qualify as a “pleasure use” driver, which can lower your rates. Or, you may qualify for a low-mileage discount or a pay-per-mile policy.

9.     Speed Ticket and Accident Record

Staying ticket- and accident-free might be the single best way to keep your car insurance rates low. Drivers cited for speeding pay 24% more a year, on average, for car insurance, according our analysis of how much rates go up after a speeding ticket. But some car insurance companies are more forgiving than others.

An accident can jack your rate up even more than a speeding ticket: The national average rate increase is 45% for drivers who cause an accident with property damage, according to our evaluation of car insurance rates after an accident.

Car insurance companies assess risk differently, so it’s wise to check rates from other insurers if you have an accident. For example, our analysis found most companies had their average rate increase (21%) for at-fault property damage accidents.

10.  DUI Record

Being convicted of a DUI can inflict a devastating blow on your efforts to keep car insurance costs low. The national average auto insurance rate hike is 70% for drivers with a DUI, according to our analysis of car insurance rates after a DUI.

You might even struggle to find coverage at all.

There are many good reasons not to drink and drive, and keeping your car insurance costs low is just one more.

Choice of Vehicle and Safety

1. Car Make and Model

The type of car you drive also can impact your car insurance rates, especially if you buy collision and comprehensive insurance. For example, our analysis of the most and least expensive cars to insure found that the following popular cars are the cheapest to insure:

• Honda CR-V
  • Jeep Wrangler Sport
  • Subaru Crosstrek

By contrast, here are the most expensive cars to insure, based on the vehicles in our analysis:

• Tesla Model S Performance
  • Lexus ES 300H
  • Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription

Factors such as the history of claims for a model and the cost to repair the vehicle help determine how much you will pay for insurance.

12.  Financed or Leased Car

When you lease a car, your insurance costs will likely be higher. That is because you don’t own the car—the leasing company does. The leasing company wants to make sure its investment is well-covered, meaning you might pay more.

If you finance a car, your costs should be somewhat lower than if you leased the car. But your lender will still require you to carry enough insurance to protect the investment until the loan is paid off.

If you finance or lease your car, your lender will usually require you to carry full coverage car insurance, which includes comprehensive and collision insurance to pay for damage to your vehicle.

13.  Garage Parking

Parking your car in a garage every night might lower your insurance costs since the car is better protected than if it sat on the street.

Your insurer might even offer a “garage discount” on your collision

and comprehensive premiums if you park the car in a garage.

14.  Thefts and Claims in Your Area

Auto insurers review internal and external data that reveals the rate of thefts and other car insurance claims in your area.

If where you live has higher levels of crime or vandalism or a history of residents who tend to file claims, perhaps due to severe weather that consistently comes your way, it can drive your costs higher.

15.  Car Trim Level and Safety Features

If your car features premium trim levels, the repair costs after an accident tend to be higher than for a less flashy car. Your insurance rates likely will reflect that reality.

It’s natural to expect advanced safety features to lower car insurance costs, as such technology helps reduce accidents. However, these features can be expensive to repair or replace. And cars that are more expensive to fix tend to have higher insurance costs.

Choice of Car Insurance Company

1. Current Insurance Company and Previous Insurer

Shopping around for car insurance is a great way to keep your costs down. Each insurer has its own formula for setting rates, and it’s likely that your own driver profile will be a better fit for some companies than others.

If you feel like the rate your current insurer charges is too high, it can pay to shop around. Your auto insurer may have hiked rates higher than other companies to compensate for losses it paid out.

Comparison shopping will help you find the company that has the

most affordable rates right now.

Your experience with a previous car insurance company might also drive your current rates higher. If you filed numerous claims with your last insurer or failed to pay your premiums on time, you may be paying higher rates now for past mistakes.

We shop over 40 insurance companies to find the policy that is the right fit and price for you. To get a free quote click here: Quote Request

1. Insurance Lapse

A lapse in car insurance coverage is an often-overlooked reason why you might pay higher rates. Whether you intentionally canceled your policy or were dropped for not paying your bill, a “gap” in your insurance coverage can serve as a red flag that will push your rates higher.

Our analysis of car insurance rates found those with a lapse in coverage pay 25% more. Maintaining continuous coverage is vital if you want to secure the best car insurance rates.

18.  Coverage Selected

The type of coverage you select will have a major bearing on your car insurance costs. A liability-only car insurance policy will net you the cheapest rates, but it provides limited financial protection.

The more types coverage of car insurance you choose, the higher your rates are likely to be.

For example, if you buy optional forms of coverage—such

as collision and comprehensive coverage—that are not mandated by law in your state, you’ll pay more.

Note that paying more for robust coverage is often the right thing to do despite the added expense. Although it can be painful to pay higher premiums, those bigger bills may turn out to be a bargain if

you get into a costly accident or your car is stolen or damaged by a non-crash event.

Even the cheapest full coverage car insurance policy provides more financial protection than a policy that meets the state minimum requirement to drive legally.

19.  Loyalty and Discounts

Being too loyal to a car insurance company may possibly result in paying higher rates.

Some companies have been caught charging higher prices to customers who they’ve discovered don’t shop around for lower prices. The scheme is called price optimization and is illegal in 20 states, but it could affect you depending on where you live.

Comparison shopping to ensure you’re getting the lowest price available with your current company—or by switching car insurance companies—is the best way to make sure your loyalty to an insurer is not being taken advantage of.

The loss of discounts may be another reason your car insurance costs have risen. If your car is a few years old, your new car discount may have dropped off. Or maybe you got a ticket and lost a good driving discount or forgot to send in the paperwork to verify your child deserves a good student discount. Check with your auto insurer what discounts you have currently and if you’re eligible for any others.

20.  Car Insurance and Claim History

Your personal history of making car insurance claims and your track record for paying your bill on time can both impact your premium rates.

Multiple claims make you look like a risky driver, resulting in higher car insurance costs. And you might pay more if you have not maintained continuous car insurance coverage.

Factors That Are Making Car Insurance So Expensive

In addition to the factors above that can drive an individual’s car insurance rates higher, some societal trends contribute to more expensive insurance costs. They include:

21.  Post-Pandemic Driving Habits

During the pandemic, lockdowns and widespread fear of the Covid- 19 virus kept people out of their cars and inside their homes. That meant they were driving a lot less.

In response, many auto insurers lowered the premiums their customers paid.

However, with the pandemic largely behind us, drivers have returned to the roads in big numbers. More drivers on the roads logging longer distances means more accidents—and higher car insurance rates.

22.  Inflation

Nobody in America will be surprised to learn that inflation has

spread to all areas of the economy, including car insurance.

The price of both new and used cars has soared over the past few years. The parts used to repair cars have become harder to find— and more expensive—and garages have had to increase wages to attract workers in an era marked by labor shortages.

As vehicles become more expensive to repair and replace, car insurance rates climb as well so insurers can cover future claim payouts.

23.  Climate Change

A changing climate may be contributing to increased disasters—

storms, wildfires, flooding—that put more vehicles in harm’s way.

If a higher than average number of claims are paid out due to catastrophic weather events, insurance companies typically look to pass on those costs to their customers in the form of higher premiums. If you live in a state especially hit hard by severe weather, you’ll likely pay more than drivers in states without such extreme weather.

For example, the average cost of car insurance in Florida, which is in the path of numerous tropical storms and hurricanes, is $4,326 per year, while the average cost in Ohio, which typically doesn’t see much extreme weather, is only $1,112.

24.  The Rise of Electric Vehicles

Many experts hope that a transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will lower emissions and slow climate change.

But while EVs may be good for the environment, they can be hard on your wallet, at least when it comes to electric car insurance costs. EVs are more expensive to replace and repair, which means they can be more expensive to insure.

25.  Increase in the Theft of Vehicles and Car Parts

Crime has spiked nationwide over the past few years, particularly in bigger cities.

In many places, thieves are targeting catalytic converters—with more than 64,000 thefts in 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). That’s an increase of 290% in stolen catalytic converters from 2020. Cities such as Dallas and San Francisco have been hit especially hard.

Car thefts are also soaring, with the number of thefts topping 1 million in 2022, according to the NICB. These losses drive claims— and car insurance rates—higher.

26.  Broken Supply Chains and Shortages

The pandemic placed stress on supply chains worldwide, slowing

the flow of parts and making them hard to find.

The basic law of supply and demand took over from there, causing parts prices to rise and increasing the cost of repairing vehicles. That reality inevitably led to higher car insurance rates.

27.  Slower Claims Affecting Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction with insurers is sinking fast, according to a

J.D. Power survey of more than 8,000 auto insurance policyholders. Many drivers are unhappy with how long today’s claims take to process.

While this doesn’t directly translate to higher auto insurance costs, it does create conditions that leave drivers—who already are unhappy with rising insurance premiums—dissatisfied with their insurance coverage.

One way slower claims can cause your car insurance rates to go up is related to the expense for rental cars insurers pay for while drivers wait for repairs or to find a replacement for their totaled car.

A report by Enterprise Rent-A-Car tracks how long rental cars were used by drivers waiting for their cars to be repaired after accidents. The study finds the length of a rental car for non-driveable vehicles after a collision is 26 days—an average of five days of that spent waiting on an insurance company to approve repairs. If a car is totaled, the length of rental is a bit better at 17 days.

We shop over 40 insurance companies to find the policy that is the right fit and price for you. To get a free quote click here: Quote Request

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Do I have to have auto insurance?

Texas law says you must show proof that you can pay for accidents that you cause. Most people do this by buying auto liability insurance. Liability insurance pays for the other driver’s repairs and medical bills. If you still owe money on your car, your lender will require you to have collision and comprehensive coverage to pay for damage to your car. Some auto dealers will repossess your vehicle if your auto insurance policy is canceled.

We shop our 40 insurance companies to find you the most savings.

Call or text me at 832-586-7212 or DM me to get a free quote. 9 am – 6pm Mon – Fri

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What could happen if I don’t have auto insurance?

The police officer who pulls you over will likely give you a ticket. Then the court could fine you up to $350. If it happens again, you could be fined up to $1,000 and have your driver’s license suspended.

We shop our 40 insurance companies to find you the most savings.

Call or text 832-586-7212 or DM me to get a free quote. 9 am – 6pm Mon – Fri

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Will I get a refund if I cancel my auto insurance policy early?

Yes. If either you or the company cancels your policy, the company must give you a refund for the remaining months. So if you paid a full year of premiums and you cancel after one month, you’ll get 11 months’ worth of premiums back.

We shop our 40 insurance companies to find you the most savings.

Call or text 832-586-7212 or DM me to get a free quote. 9 am – 6pm Mon – Fri

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Will my auto insurance company drop me if I get in a wreck?

Companies probably won’t drop you after the first wreck. But if you get in a lot of accidents or get a lot of tickets, you might be charged more. If you’ve had tickets or accidents and are trying to buy insurance, some companies might not sell you a policy.

If a company turns you down, contact us at 832-586-7212.

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