When it comes to buying a car, the process doesn’t end with the purchase. A car comes with a lot of responsibilities that have to be taken care of to protect your life and save your money. One such major responsibility is auto insurance. Every vehicle owner needs to have auto insurance, or they run the risk of losing a lot of money, even in the case of a minor accident. Choosing auto insurance might seem simple, but here are some essential auto insurance tips to keep in mind, before you try to make your choice.

1. Keep a clean record
It is a very obvious tip but is surprisingly ignored quite often. Keeping a clean driving record ensures there is no hike in your insurance premium for the following year. In case of a surge, discuss with an insurance provider on how it can be reduced as soon as possible or if a reduction is even possible. All in all, this makes for one of the most basic auto insurance tips that have to be kept in mind at all times.

2. Ideal billing plans
Insurance companies tend to give discounts if your premium is paid in full instead of in installments. If that’s an option, always opt for it, since paying full premiums can save cash in the long run. Keep in mind that paperless options tend to also rake in discounts. It is also more convenient since receipts and policies are all processed and delivered electronically.

3. Good credit score
A good credit score plays a huge role in most financial aspects of a person’s life. This will automatically fetch you the best deals because companies have found that bad credit scores relate to an increased chance of claims. Keep a good credit score by ensuring that you do not default on payments.

4. Don’t rush to seal the deal
As with most decisions in life, do not rush when choosing an insurance plan. Most often, an extra effort in shopping for better offers goes a long way in getting the best and cheapest deals available in the market. Different companies offer varying premiums, and shopping around will make it easier to get the best possible premium.

5. Large cars cost more
It shouldn’t be a surprise that larger cars generally cost a higher premium. A larger car might seem attractive, but it comes with a higher premium, which you must be aware of if you have a strict budget.

6. Install anti-theft devices
A lot of companies give low insurance premium deals if the owner of the car installs anti-theft devices. Note that only certain devices are applicable, so research with the insurance companies which devices are applicable and install them to avail the offer.

7. Do an annual check on rates
Always remember that plans change and premiums might vary with each year. Keep track of different insurance providers and the packages they offer. If a plan suits you for a year and doesn’t seem to be feasible next year, switch to better plans. One of the other important auto insurance tips to keep in mind is to negotiate with your current providers for a better deal.