| When you buy a sport utility vehicle, you think of | | | | So what can you do to reduce your rates? |
| power, ruggedness and the ability to take your | | | | 1. Raise your deductible. |
| vehicle off-road and virtually do the impossible. What | | | | 2. Do NOT make claims on little stuff. This should |
| does NOT usually occur to you is what you might | | | | entitle you to a No Claims Bonus with time. |
| have to pay as insurance rates for such features. | | | | 3. Maintain an excellent credit rating. |
| Painfully, most SUV owners pay a lot more than they | | | | 4. Make sure your SUV is always parked in a garage. |
| would if they knew a few things. We'll explore why | | | | 5. Make sure you have all the recommended safety |
| these vehicles cost a lot more to insure and what | | | | equipment. |
| you can do to pay a lot less... | | | | 6. Even among SUV's, some cost a lot more to insure |
| What you pay for any form of insurance is directly | | | | than others. So check before you pay for your |
| proportional to the risk your insurer perceives in you. | | | | vehicle. |
| That is, if an insurer thinks you'll cost them 50% | | | | 7. Make sure you maintain an excellent driving record. |
| more than profile X, your rates would be at least | | | | 8. If you have other vehicles, try insuring this one |
| 50% more than that of profile X. So let's see in | | | | with the same insurer. However, although this would |
| which ways sport utility vehicles pose a bigger risk to | | | | get you a multi-vehicle discount, it's been proven that |
| insurers before we go into ways to reduce that risk... | | | | you might actually save more by opting for an |
| 1. These vehicles do a lot more damage when | | | | entirely different insurer. So you'll do well to compare |
| involved in accidents than cars. Because of their build, | | | | offers from other insurers before you settle with |
| ruggedness and design they do more damage to | | | | your present insurer. |
| other vehicles. These also applies to passengers | | | | 9. If you're married, insure this vehicle in your wife's |
| involved in such accidents. | | | | name and be named as the secondary driver. |
| 2. Sport utility vehicles are NOT as safe as cars. | | | | Women get better auto insurance rates than men. |
| They have a high center of gravity and are thus | | | | 10. Get and compare quotes from as many insurance |
| more likely to somersault. | | | | companies as you can. Each insurance company has |
| 3. They usually cost a lot more to repair. | | | | its own loss history, underwriting experience and |
| 4. Because of their trendy nature, thieves seem to | | | | expertise. Don't be surprised to find an insurer that |
| prefer them. This means that they are more likely to | | | | will save you over $1,000 in premium dollars. |
| be stolen than other vehicles. | | | | |