Reader’s Question:

I’m new and fairly clueless about this auto insurance thing, but I would need to get one soon since I will be buying my first car here in Louisiana. Can you help me?

Clarence

Baton Rouge, LA

A lot of people would know how you feel. For first time auto insurance buyers, just the fact that there are literally hundreds of auto insurance companies and policies to choose from can already be a bit overwhelming. Just how do you make sure that you are getting the best rates without sacrificing on a quality insurance carrier? Here are some suggestions and tips that can make it much easier for you to get the best policy for your insurance need there in Louisiana.

1. Understand first how much auto insurance coverage you will need. This would depend on how many people will be driving your vehicle, the make and model of the car you will be buying, as well as the minimum liability insurance protection amounts that your state requires you to purchase.

2. Get a good idea of what is being offered. There are many auto insurance portals, just like this one, that offers a timely and convenient way of comparing rates from different companies. Different providers offer different rates and you only need to use your calculator briefly to know which one will cost the least annually.

3. Look for discounts you can take advantage of, such as low-mileage discount, incentives for having a good driving record for the past 3-5 years, discounts for taking defensive driving classes and for putting additional security & safety mechanisms in your vehicle.

4. Raise your deductible to the highest level you can, you only pay when you have a claim your carrier pays.