It is hard not to view insurance payments as money down the drain, so many of us use price quotes as the deciding factor when we select car, home or household insurance. No one wants to be “taken” on their insurance premiums.

That is a choice many consumers come to regret when the time comes to file a claim. This is when we find out what kind of service our premiums have been paying for, and, we shouldn’t be surprised to find that we get what we pay for.

With that said, you can find companies that offer both good service and good prices, and the only way to find out who is who is to compare insurance quotes, policies and companies.

Researching insurance online is the easiest way to start. You’ll find resources to educate yourself about common insurance terms and practices. And, you can gather enough information, most of the time including quotes, cover information and company history, to know if you want to give the company a call for information on specific options. This way, you can avoid high-pressure sales tactics that might cause you to make a decision prematurely.

You need to understand the content of your policy and what you can expect if you need to make a claim. Don’t be afraid to ask questions until all aspects of the policy are clear to you. If the company wants your business, you should expect them to do everything possible to earn your business.Once you begin negotiations with an insurance company, do not be intimidated by unfamiliar terms or a fast-talking consultant.

Foregoing all the jargon that can accompany this explanation, it essentially boils down to your risk profile. If you’re a high risk, you’ll pay a higher premium. If you’re a low risk, you’ll pay a lower premium.One thing it is important to understand about insurance is how the companies determine your premium.

Several factors influence your risk profile, including, age, gender, place of residence, the value of the item(s) to be insured, your history of claims, the type and amount of cover you want to buy and the risk the item(s) being insured are exposed to. These factors can influence the various types of insurance in different ways, but some have the same effect on each insurance type.

If your place of residence is in a high crime area, your home, household and car insurance premiums will reflect the increased risk of possible theft, burglary or hijacking.Increased security measures, if they exceed the insurance company’s requirements, will lower home, household and car insurance premiums.

Excess refers to the amount you are responsible to pay when you file a claim. All car, home and household policies have minimum excess amounts, but you can raise yours in exchange for lower premiums.Consider increasing your excess amounts,if you can afford it.

You can receive a discount if you have a history of claim-free years. First-time insurers will not be eligible for this discount until they have built this history.

Tom Martens is the syndication coordinator Insurance-south-africa.co.za. South Arica’s leading Insurance information portal

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