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It’s that time of the year again. Time to renew your car insurance. It often feels like you’ve only just paid for the previous year’s insurance, yet your provider is already calling you to see if you’d like to renew with their company.

To ensure that you get the right type of insurance and adequate coverage, you might need to do a little research to find the best auto insurance companies for your needs. Every insurance company operates differently and they each provide unique policies.

If you’ve been driving for a long time, it’s easy to stick with the same insurer for years. Renewing with the same company every year is quick, easy, and extremely convenient.

But different companies offer different prices for the exact same policies, so you could save yourself a lot of money by switching to a new provider. The difference in quotes could be anything from tens of dollars to hundreds of dollars each year!

Here are some of the important things that you need to look out for when you’re finding a new car insurance company.

Use Comparison Websites

Nowadays, there are lots of different comparison websites that enable you to compare multiple insurance policies and prices at once. With just a quick search, you can see which companies are offering the most affordable quotes for your vehicle.

These websites are easy to use and they compare the details of each policy side by side so you can clearly see the differences between each one. This saves you having to check each website separately.

It’s important to realize that cheaper is not always better. Cheaper quotes might mean less coverage. Make sure to check what each policy offers in terms of coverage before signing up to a new provider.

Check The Details of Your Policy

As mentioned above, different policies offer different coverage. Even if you choose a comprehensive insurance policy, it doesn’t mean everything is included.

You must always check the small print before signing up to any new policy. Your new insurance provider might have a cheaper quote but they might not cover as many things.

In particular, keep an eye out for the following things when searching through your policy:

• Does it include coverage for personal belongings that are stolen from inside the car?
• Does the policy cover the car stereo or speakers?
• If my car is going in for approved repair, is a courtesy car provided?
• Am I able to add named drivers to my policy or can I add other vehicles to the policy?

Consider the Excess

Excess refers to the amount of money that you pay when you make a claim for damages to your vehicle. Your insurance provider pays a certain amount for your damages and after this point, you are responsible for the payment of repairs and replacements on your car.

There are two types of excess – compulsory and voluntary. Check with your insurer what type of excess they offer and how much they cover in the event of a claim. This way, you aren’t hit with unexpected bills if you make a claim in the future.