Military Auto Insurance

INSURANCE CHECKLIST
Military Auto Insurance, Fast and Easy

You're all set to purchase your auto insurance, at the military discount you're entitled to. Now you want to make the process fast and easy.

Bring a current copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration, and vehicle identification number. And know what type of insurance coverage you want to move the process along faster. Research the costs and types of insurance coverage before you consult your auto insurance provider.

Now, have the answers to these questions on hand when you're ready to apply for your auto insurance:

MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF CAR

How many doors your car has, whether it has two- or four-wheel drive, and the engine size in cubic inches are all considerations.

WHERE YOU LIVE

People in large metropolitan areas tend to pay more for car insurance than people who live in rural areas. People with certain ZIP codes or who live in certain areas within a city pay more than others.

DRIVING RECORD AND EXPERIENCE

You'll be asked about any history of accidents and traffic violations.

AGE, GENDER, AND MARITAL STATUS

Men often pay more than women. Younger drivers often pay higher premiums. Generally, unmarried men under age 25 pay the highest premiums.

LENGTH OF TIME LICENSED WITHIN A STATE

Generally, the longer you are licensed, the better for your auto insurance rates.

Driver training course for new drivers. New drivers should take driver training courses.

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE

If you use your cars for pleasure, you will pay less than someone who commutes to work by car.

NUMBER OF MILES DRIVEN EACH YEAR

Some insurers ask for daily and annual mileage averages. Lower mileage translates to lower auto insurance rates.

NUMBER OF CARS

Including two or more cars on the same policy can save you money. Many military families are two and even three car families, once your teenager becomes of driving age.

HOME INSURANCE

Homeowners can oftentimes get their auto insurance with the same insurance provider they use for homeowners insurance, umbrella insurances, and other insurance policies, and save money on their auto insurance bu doing so.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Insurance companies are particularly interested in how long you have been with the same employer.

SMOKER OR NON-SMOKER?

Whether or not the driver smokes makes a difference in just about everything you try to insure, including your cars.

Where the vehicle is kept. Cars kept in garages usually cost less to insure.

Safety features. Cars with antilock brakes and air bags often cost less to insure than cars without these features. Auto insurance rates can also be lowered if your car has anti-theft features as well.

Credit history. Insurance companies may inquire whether you have been denied credit within the last 12 months.

Once you know the questions your insurance provider will ask and the auto insurance coverage you want, follow these helpful steps to secure auto insurance at the best military rates:

Step 1

Contact a number of companies. Include large companies that sell auto insurance through their own agents, independent agents who sell for several different insurance companies, and "direct writers," or insurance companies that sell to the public over the phone or on the Internet.

Step 2

Get as many quotes as possible. Many states offer free comparisons of auto insurance prices. It's also possible to get quotes over the phone.

Step 3

Ask friends for recommendations. Be sure to ask about reliability and how the speed with which claims are processed.

Step 4

Check all insurance companies' complaint records. Check the web site of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Step 5

Look for a company that offers "nonstandard" coverage. If you are "hard-to-insure" because of past accidents, moving violations, etc. nonstandard coverage will be your best bet. Or you can purchase insurance through the company that's assigned through the state's high-risk pool.

Compare and contrast - it's the process for securing the best discounted military auto insurance among all the many providers available to suit your military needs.