Why you should get a new car insurance quote every year

Shopping for car insurance is a pain. It’s about as fun as looking for a new dishwasher or a dentist—one of those things you only do because you have to. Typing your credit card number into the computer is painful when you spend hundreds of dollars on something you actually hope you will never have to use.

But it pays to pain yourself with car insurance shopping every year. It doesn’t take that long, and you never know what you might find. Many drivers find that their premiums rise ever so slightly each year even when their driving records are clean and their car is older than it used to be.

While their current policy could be on the rise, dozens of companies out there are vying for their business. They court new clients with attractive rates and try to draw in new customers with low premiums and introductory offers.

Of course, loyalty can pay as well. A little shopping may reveal that your current rate with the insurer you’ve trusted for years is significantly lower than what is available for you on the open market, because you’ve seen small increases or even new discounts from your car insurance provider while the industry standard has risen.

If that happens, you can renew your policy with a smile.

If you do find, however, that you could secure coverage for less from a different insurance provider and don’t want to switch, call you provider and see if you can negotiate.