First Time Driver Car Insurance in Alaska
Reader’s Question:
I’m a first time car insurance policy holder ( until recently, I’ve been under my parent’s insurance here in Alaska). What suggestions do you have so that I can still save on my car insurance rates?
Noemi
Anchorage, AK
It’s a big leap for teenagers and first time car insurance policy holders to finally get car insurance on their own. And as you may have noticed already, first time auto insurance rates and premiums doesn’t come cheap, but you really couldn’t stay under you parent’s auto insurance policy forever, right?. Don’t despair, you will only need to a couple of years to establish a good driving history, after which there should be no reason why you couldn’t get good insurance rates there in Alaska. In the meantime, here are a few tips and suggestions on what you can do to increase your likelihood of building that good driving record as well as keep auto insurance costs as low as possible:
Still In School? Get Good Grades
You may qualify for a Good Student Discount if you maintain at least an average of B or higher in school.
Take Defensive Driving Courses
Accredited driving schools in your area would qualify you to get further discounts on your auto insurance for learning to become a safer driver.
Consider Driving An Older Vehicle
You could lower, or even eliminate, your comprehensive and collision insurance coverage to help you keep your premiums low.
Become A Low Mileage Driver
Most auto insurance providers give discounts if you drive less than 10,000 miles annually.
Shop For The Best Rates
Just because it’s your first time doesn’t mean you wouldn’t find someone that can give good rates. The Internet is a great way to get more promos and insurance discounts.
Why is Car Insurance in Alaska So Expensive?
Reader’s Question:
Is it true that even short gaps in my insurance coverage can cause my auto insurance rates to go up? I recently moved to Alaska and I was wondering if this could be the reason my insurance rates are bigger here than where I came from.
Chuck
Anchorage, AK
Increased auto insurance rates, or in rare cases being denied auto insurance protection, can definitely be due to lack of or gaps in your insurance coverage. Driving without any form of car insurance protection is not very advisable, and is even considered illegal under the financial responsibility laws of many states, since this makes car insurance providers perceive you as a high-risk driver (due to taking the risk of driving without adequate financial protection). There is basis for this as studies have shown that people who pay high amounts for insurance actually drives in a much safer manner as those without.
There could be other factors involved that made your auto insurance rates there in Alaska. It is possible that it is just simply more expensive to get insurance there in your new location as compared to the old one. If you did not change providers, it is also possible that your comprehensive insurance clause became more expensive due to increased likelihood of accidents caused by snow-storms, skidding in ice and other natural events that may cause damage or loss of your vehicle.
Did you change to a more expensive vehicle? This could also affect but if nothing much has changed other than that you relocated and did not have coverage for an extended span of time, the gap in your coverage could have definitely increased your rates.
Do You Want Cheaper Auto Insurance Rates in Alaska?
Reader’s Question:
I haven’t paid too much attention on our auto insurance until now because we’d want to save as much as we could. In what ways do you think I can be able to have cheaper auto insurance here in Alaska?
Laken
Anchorage, AK
The first thing that you could to do have cheaper premiums on your auto insurance in Alaska is to review your policy. After that, you may speak with an insurance agent regarding the deductibles on your policy and coverage choices on each kind of required coverage. The most important ones include basic, collision and comprehensive coverage and of course, uninsured motorist coverage would cost extra. You may ask your agent or the auto insurance company itself for different quotes with specific groupings of coverage as well as deductibles.
You may also reduce your basic insurance coverage to the least amount that you feel secure with. In the state of Alaska, the minimum amount would be $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident, which would be the payment the insurance provider would cover for every injured individual, and its overall cost. At times, this involves medical expenditures that, again, would have additional cost. You may opt to lessen your property damage coverage as well to the least amount required. Lastly, get as high deductibles as you can for comprehensive and collision coverage and observe the amount that you can save. Say, a deductible of $1000 would save you over $20 each month against a deductible of $500, it more likely wiser to get higher deductible.
Denied Car Insurance Coverage in Alaska
Reader’s Question:
I have been denied car insurance coverage here in Anchorage, Alaska because of my credit history, what can I do about that?
Beck
Anchorage, AK
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act would let you request for a copy of your credit report for free from the agency used by the insurer if you have been denied car insurance coverage in Anchorage, Alaska because of your credit history. You may very well contest the information given to you if you know that the credit agency is mistaken. But if you have been rejected for coverage and you know that your credit rating has an effect on your ability to obtain car insurance, here are a few tips:
–You have to clean up your credit right away by paying your bills when they are due, avoid credit cards with high interest and don’t spend further than your funds.
–You may be an unknown quantity to the insurance providers if you lack history so go ahead and get some credit. Use your credit on a regular basis but you have to make sure that you pay them on time.
–At least once per annum, obtain copies of your credit report from the top three major credit agencies. Be certain that all of the details from each report are accurate. You can challenge any mistakes with both the credit agencies involved and the creditors.
–Don’t forget to shop around because premiums can be different for the same coverage.