I clearly remember the first time I had to change insurance companies. A few years ago, when I was a trainee, I overheard a classmate discussing the price he paid for his insurance. This price is much cheaper than mine. I interrupted the discussion to find out the name of the company. That lucky bit of eavesdropping ended up saving me over $100 a month! For a trainee (or anyone else, really) it’s great conservation. It got me thinking: How many people pay our fees year after year without thinking too much about it? How much could we save if we looked around a bit whether for auto insurance or home insurance (or both)?
Need to Switch
Some of the needs to switch are more obvious than others – but it’s no surprise that saving money continues to top the list of top reasons individuals change insurance companies. Individuals often feel they are being overcharged, or that their prices are steadily increasing every year, even though they have maintained a tidy driving record. Moving is another big factor. Some service companies don’t offer their solutions everywhere – so if you’re leaving the district, it’s important that you know your options well in advance of moving and make changes if necessary, to avoid gaps in coverage.
Associations and Subscriptions Can Save You Money
Consider all the companies you’re at, the institutions you’re in, or just where you’re currently working. Are you a trainee? Do you offer in the military? Chances are there is an affiliate or subscription program that can save you money. Common ones consist of:
- Professional Subscriptions and Organizations. Are you a participant from a professional company (e.g., Canadian Certified Management Accounting Professional, Canadian Registered Nurses Organization, Air Canada Pilot Organization, and so on.)? If the answer is yes, after that some insurance providers will offer you a discount rate. Also many other types of non-professional subscriptions (from CAA to Costco) have affiliate programs that offer potential savings.
- Training participants. Some insurance providers may provide discount rates for trainees with high average scores. For novice drivers who hold a license for less than 3 years and who have completed a recognized driver safety education course, some insurance providers may provide fee discounts.
- Alumni. Graduates from many Canadian higher education institutions may be eligible for discount rates at certain insurance providers.
- Workers’ and Trade Union Participants’ benefits. Some companies offer discounts as a component of their corporate benefits packages, or to union participants. Always read the fine print of your company benefits package when starting a new job to see if there are any savings for you.
Make sure you find out exactly what the subscription program will offer you, and keep on looking around. Remember, you may still be able to get cheaper insurance and better discounts through other means, or your current provider may also have the ability to adjust savings.
Time Matter – Remember Your Resurrection Day
The best time to think about the transition is right before your current plan is for revival. If you decide to do so before the duration of your plan is over, you may incur a penalty (which could consume any savings you may receive from the switch). After all it was a deal.
Pick a day about a month before your scheduled revival and record this in your schedule. Use this day to compare prices, get together to put together new forecasts, and talk to some other companies. If you find one that offers savings over your current company or better fits your needs, you’ll be able to create a button at no monetary cost.
Need to End Very Early?
Due to certain circumstances, such as clearing districts, you may not have the ability to avoid switching plans before your awakening day is up. When canceling your plan before it is resurrected, your insurance company can “prorate” or “increase” your refund.
If it is prorated, you will be reimbursed for the total premium amount for the coverage you did not use. For example, if you have a 12 month plan and you terminate it after 10 months, you will have to receive reimbursement for both months of your unused coverage.
If judged short, the auto insurance company may take a termination fee from your refund. It would be best to check with your insurance company before deciding to terminate. If the bill is big enough, you might consider keeping the call until it’s over before switching companies.
The Action of Choosing a New Insurance Company
Review your current plan to see what coverage you currently have. What is deductible from your insurance? Do you have any accident mercy? What level of coverage do you have? Can you get savings with your current provider? Make a list of all the features you want in your new insurance coverage before contacting the insurance provider. By doing this, you can verify that the insurance provider is offering a discount without compromising your current coverage.
Look around and get various estimates before choosing. Even if one company offers you a reduced rate that doesn’t mean it’s the most affordable rate. Check online reviews to see what kind of reputation the company has. Remember, most individuals who handle insurance claims are under pressure, so be sure to take note of client reviews that rate the company itself, rather than being compared to accident commentators.
Before starting the process of canceling your old coverage, make sure your new plan is ready. Find out the days your plan will be energetic and let your old insurance provider know. When canceling insurance coverage, it is advisable to do so in writing, even if your insurance provider does not require it. You currently have a termination day document, and you can avoid complications about when you want your coverage to end.
Other Factors to Consider When Switching
If you decide to start your new plan immediately without notifying your old provider, you should inquire about their plans for retroactive termination. In most situations, you’ll need to show proof of insurance and the day your new plan will expire.
Also, consider your previous accidents, discounts and plans when canceling your plan. Remember, accident compassion doesn’t usually follow you between companies, but your driving record does. Make sure the new insurance provider has provided you with a quote based on a full disclosure of your driving background. If you omit this information, you will not see accurate estimates. When you decide to make the switch, you could end up seeing a higher price for an accident forgiven through your previous insurance provider.
Lastly, the durability discount (as long as you are with the current provider) will also usually be cancelled, along with multi-policy offers. Consider the impact that your various other insurance coverage prices may have. Will your home insurance coverage increase? Do new insurance providers offer comparable discounts? You might also consider moving all of your current plans to a new company. Depending on how great the provider is, you may end up saving more.
Switch Production – The Last Idea
Remember that you have the right to change your car insurance or home insurance provider whenever you want, but remember that you did sign an agreement. The insurance company also reserves the right to impose a contract termination penalty depending on the circumstances. Make sure the switch saves you money and gives you the protection you need. Avoid any surprises by being prepared. Get to know for yourself what’s included in your current coverage, and what discounts you may not be able to move.