When you’re in the market for car insurance quotes in Austin, it’s definitely in your best interest to be proactive. It’s no good pulling up quotes on the Internet or shopping around for great quotes if you haven’t done your homework.
The fact of the matter is that, before you commit to any auto insurance policy, you need to be sure that you have a respectable driving record, as well as a vehicle that is in excellent shape and meets current safety standards. Here’s a quick list of some things you need to take into consideration before you go shopping for auto insurance quotes.
How Old Is Your Current Vehicle?
If you’re driving a vehicle from the 1990’s or before, chances are you aren’t going to get the best quote on your auto insurance. There are a number of reasons for this. The main reason is that an older vehicle simply doesn’t meet current safety standards.
They also very likely won’t meet current standards regarding emissions. Not only will an older vehicle have a hard time making it past the annual safety inspection, but you’ll also have trouble getting a really good insurance quote.
What Type Of Vehicle Are You Attempting To Insure?
The general rule is: The newer the vehicle, the better quote you’re likely to get for your auto insurance. Of course, even this rule of thumb has a few limitations. For example, if you come in hoping to insure a family vehicle, such as a Hyundai Elantra, you’re bound to get a better quote on your auto insurance than if you came in with a gad guzzling Humvee.
Do You Have A Respectable Driving Record?
Another important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a great auto insurance quote is the current state of your driving record. If you’ve got a lot of traffic tickets (parking tickets, speeding tickets, etc.) and more than your share of “fender benders” on your record, you’re probably going to feel the pinch when it comes to your auto insurance quote.
It may be a good idea for you to consider going to a driving class in order to get some of the points taken off your record before you go shopping for a new auto insurance policy. The better your driving record is, the more able you’ll be to show that you area safe driver who merits a reasonable quote for auto insurance.