Can you believe that it’s already 2017? We know you’re probably worried about your New Year’s Resolutions like being healthier or spending more time with family, but at HIG we think the New Year is also a good time to think about your car insurance.

For many people, the first of the year is the time to renew your car insurance policy. If this is the case for you, make a goal to be more proactive about your insurance this year. Follow our helpful tips to make sure you have the coverage you need to stay safe on the road while saving money in ways you, or your insurance agent, could be overlooking.

Here’s a quick checklist we created to get you thinking. Not sure what something is? Keep reading for a more detailed description of each coverage and discounts!

Discounts:

Coverages:

  • Lease Gap/Auto Loan Coverages
  • New Auto Replacement Cost Coverage
  • Accident Forgiveness
  • Substitute Transportation
  • Optional Bodily Injury to Others

Car Insurance Discounts You May Qualify For:

Multi Car Discounts — Do you own more than one car? If you insure them with the same carrier, you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance premium.

Bundling Your Car — When you bundle your Car and your homeowners, condo or renters insurance policies with the same insurance carrier you could save 15% or more.

Good Student Discount — Have a stellar student at home? Don’t just brag about it; bring your child’s report card to your insurance agent to see if you’re eligible for a ‘Good Student Discount’.

Student Away at School Discount — If your child is away at school more than 100 miles from your home, you could qualify for this insurance discount.

Disappearing Deductible Discount — With disappearing deductible, you can save money on your insurance by just being a good driver! For every renewal you go without getting in an at-fault accident, you can earn credits towards a future deductible.

Energy Saving Hybrids or Electric Car Discounts — More than just saving money on gas, you could also save on your insurance by driving one of these new, environmentally friendly cars.

Advanced Driver Training Discounts — Did you commit to learning safer driver techniques by enrolling in a driver safety course? Let your agent know to see if you qualify for any discounts.

Military Away Discounts — We are proud supporters of the men and women in our armed services, and so are many insurance carriers. If you are deployed more than 100 miles from where your car is garaged, you could qualify for a discount on your car insurance.

Mileage Discounts — Are you an infrequent driver? Then this is a great discount just for you! By driving less, you could qualify for a lower insurance premium.

Paying Your Premium In Full — Did you know that paying your insurance premium annually versus monthly can save you money? Plus, you don’t have to worry about remembering to pay your insurance bill every month.

Charitable Donations Discounts — Do you have a charity or non-profit that is near and dear to your heart? Ask your insurance agent about any discounts you may be eligible for through your charitable donations.

Car Insurance Coverage Options:

Lease Gap/Auto Loan Coverages — Worried about your insurance coverage when it comes to your aging vehicle? Lease Gap or Auto Loan Coverage helps cover the difference between what you still owe for your car and its actual cash value in case you were to get in an accident.

New Auto Replacement Cost Coverage — Ever worry what would happen if you totaled your car? Would your insurance coverage be enough to get you the same car or would you have to downgrade to something not as nice? With new auto replacement cost coverage, your insurance will pay to replace your car with a new vehicle of the same make and model.

Accident Forgiveness — If you’re a driver with a clean driving record and at least 6 years of driving experience, you should definitely consider accident forgiveness. By purchasing accident forgiveness, you’re able to avoid insurance premium increases resulting from one at-fault accident. Just remember, you will still get points on your driving record, but your insurance premiums won’t reflect this change as long as you stay with your current insurance carrier.

Substitute Transportation — If your car is in the shop due to an accident, substitute transportation coverage can help cover the costs of renting a car or taking public transportation until you get your car back. Remember though, this would only apply after an accident, not for routine mechanical repairs.

Optional Bodily Injury to Others — While Massachusetts requires a minimum of $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident for bodily injury to others, often times this limit is unfortunately not enough to cover medical expenses related to an at-fault accident. Talk to your agent today about raising this limit to make sure you’re protected in case you ever injure someone in an at-fault accident.

Are you planning to buy or lease a new car in 2017? Read our blog on what you need to know insurance-wise before you do.

Here at HIG, we know the auto insurance industry like the backs of our hands. Visit our website at www.higinsuranceagency.com or give our office a call at 508.676.5949 to learn more about how you can get proactive about your car insurance.