Applying for an Ottawa auto insurance quote can be a pretty complicated process. It’s not uncommon for people to make honest errors during this process, and there are usually easy ways to avoid making these mistakes. If you want to keep your insurance rates as low as possible now and in the future, you may want to consult with a licensed professional about how to avoid the most common errors. In the meantime, keep these common mistakes in mind and avoid them as much as possible.
1. Forgetting to shop around: Even if one insurance company comes highly recommended from family or friends, it’s still a good idea to get an Ottawa auto insurance quote from several different companies. Even if you settle upon the original one you had in mind, it’s good to feel 100% certain that you’re making the right decision.
2. Choosing monthly payments: Many companies offer the option to pay your insurance on an annual or semiannual basis. In general, these options are cheaper than paying monthly. If larger lump-sum payments are feasible for you, consider checking this option when getting an Ottawa auto insurance quote.
3. Giving the wrong information: Many insurance applications are quite complicated, so it’s pretty easy to make honest mistakes. However, these mistakes can lead to major repercussions later on. They may even result in denial of coverage for an accident. So, in order to be safe, it’s a good idea to double check everything on the application.
4. Giving incomplete information: Similarly, neglecting to fill in certain fields on the application can result in denied coverage later on, so make sure you fill in all the pieces of information the application asks for.
5. Switching the primary driver: Because auto insurance is typically much more expensive for younger drivers, it’s tempting to enter a parent’s name as the primary driver on an Ottawa auto insurance quote. However, this amounts to insurance fraud, so it obviously should be avoided.
6. Unsafe driving: One of the most important things that insurance companies take into account is the driver’s record. If you have multiple speeding tickets or accidents in your past, it’s completely within the rights of the company to take this information into account in your Ottawa auto insurance quote. In general, there’s a statute of limitations on these things, so try to find out how long it takes before a given company is willing to forget about these issues.
7. Not securing the car: Another thing that can drive your rate up is a history of multiple car thefts. Of course, it’s not your fault that your car has been stolen, but it makes sense from the company’s point of view to charge more in these cases.
8. Putting compromising information online: If you have any social networking portfolios suggesting that you drink alcohol or engage in reckless behaviors, this may be grounds for a company raising your rate. This doesn’t apply to most people, but it’s a good idea to make sure all your online information looks good from an insurance standpoint.
9. Souping up your ride: Having modifications designed to enhance safety or fuel efficiency will only help when it comes to your Ottawa auto insurance quote, but other enhancements may actually cause your rate to go higher.
10. Lacking insurance: All Ontario drivers are required to have insurance when operating a motor vehicle. Breaking this law can result in license revocation, large fines, or seizure of the vehicle.
