Who is a senior citizen is a question that gets different answers from different people. But no matter how you define “senior,” it is still necessary to maintain adequate insurance coverage, especially if you drive. While car insurance is a heavy expense for many seniors, there are many ways to lower costs while maintaining the right amount of coverage for your individual financial situation. Auto insurance is required for every one who drives, of course, regardless of age.
Sit down with an insurance agent, in person, and get a thorough review of your policy. Make very sure that your coverage still fits your needs. If you drive more, as in taking a long vacation to take advantage of falling gas prices, you might need more coverage. If you are driving less, it might be possible to get the coverage you need for a lower premium and save money while staying properly protected.
If you have insurance policies on your home or life, look at having all your policies with a single provider. This is called bundling and it?s a great way to save a lot of money on insurance premiums. It also adds convenience and ease to managing multiple insurance policies because you only have to work with a single insurance provider. If you bundle your policies, you can also work with the insurance provider on a single due date or dates for your premiums in order to make managing your bills easy.
Inquire whether your insurance company offers senior citizen discounts. Many companies also offer discounts to members of groups like AARP, as well as other organizations. If you have more than one driver in your household, inquire about multiple driver discounts and discounts for multiple vehicles.
If you don?t want coverage, or you don’t need it, don’t buy it. It’s not unusual for companies to try to sell you riders to your policy that are not really necessary, but cost you a lot of money. Don’t let any salesperson pressure you into buying something you do not want or need. If you tell the agent you are not interested in the coverage and they insist you buy it anyway, then look for another insurance company.
Never purchase coverage you don’t understand. Insurance is a complicated business. There is no reason to be embarrassed if you don’t understand something the first time you hear about it. If it takes several explanations for you to feel comfortable with the facts, that’s just the agent’s job. Make sure you get all promises in writing. Review every policy thoroughly and never put your signature on a document you haven’t read, don’t understand, or just don’t like.
Finally, if you insurance company is not providing the coverage you want and need, it’s time to shop around. Get quotes on a new policy. Make sure your coverage meets your needs and that you have bought the best policy on the market. In fact, even if you are totally happy with your coverage, there is likely to be another company eager to offer you a better deal. Just look before you leap.
No matter what your insurance needs, always be sure you buy from an authorized and licensed insurance agent. They can help you examine your situation and offer a policy precisely tailored to your needs, and answer any questions about coverage and premiums.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.