Most people know that insurance rates are tied in part to the age of the car. What some don't realize is: some cars are just better insurance risks than others. If you are a college student, it pays to purchase a car that is considered a good safety risk.

Used Cars
Among used cars, the first question for buyers is: does this car already have a bad repair record?  If a car has already been in a wreck, it is probably not a good insurance risk. The next question is: does the car have a good safety rating from either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and/or the federal government?  Students can find these ratings at the websites for the IIHS or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

A third question is: what is the true resale value?  Some cars lose value quickly as they age. Others age gracefully and retain their value. College students can find out how much a car is worth through such websites as Kelley Blue Book. 

Finally, used cars may or may not have electronic traction systems that are now common on all cars. Systems such as vehicle stability and brake assist decrease the likelihood of accidents. When looking at used cars, try to buy one with an electronic traction system. 

New Cars
By law, all new cars have some electronic safety systems for better traction. The safest cars, however, include auto brake, blind spot monitors, and warnings for lane-keeping and collision avoidance. Watching for collision scenarios, the auto brake system can see danger and can actually stop the car. 

The blind spot camera or sensor system reveals oncoming traffic and greatly reduces the chances that a driver will cause a side collision on the highway. These automated driving systems help lower safety risk and insurance rates. 

College students can go to the IIHS and/or NHTSA websites to see a vehicle's safety ratings. 

With a little research on the internet, college students can narrow down their car choices to those that will earn better insurance rates.

Shopping for car insurance can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you do not understand what goes into determining your premium. If you are shopping for the best deals, arm yourself with the tools to negotiate the best rates so that you can be sure that you are getting the best possible deal without sacrificing the coverage that you need.

First, consider your driving history. If you had a speeding ticket five years ago, look for an insurance company that only rates based on the last three years or one that forgives your first offense. That will save you from surcharges based on the moving violation, which can be costly.

Another factor to consider is the distance that you drive. Insurance providers ask you how far you commute to work and how many miles you drive each year because you are at greater risk of an accident when you spend a lot of time on the road. The more miles you drive each year, the higher your base premium will be. Make sure that you provide as accurate an assessment as you can for your driving habits.

When you choose your coverage deductibles, look for a balance between your budget and your premiums. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums will be, because you are taking on more of the risk yourself. But, make sure that you choose a deductible that you will be able to pay if you are in an accident, because you will have to pay it directly to the repair shop in order to get your car repaired.

Many insurance companies offer discounts for your good driving history. If you have always been insured and you have no accidents or moving violations, you can save as much as twenty percent on your premiums. For students, look for a discount offered based on your academic performance as well.

By being aware of your coverage options and potential discounts, you can get great car insurance deals. Talk to your agent about any other possible options as well.

Looking for car insurance in Athens?  Call Pachuta Insurance today @ 706-769-2262.