USAgencies

What if getting a DUI didn’t have to haunt you for many years? 

Louisiana residents convicted of a DUI quickly learn that it increases the cost of car insurance in a big way. And sometimes, it feels like the only solutions are to settle for worse coverage or pay through the nose for your usual coverage. 

Fortunately, it’s still possible for you to get affordable coverage even after getting a DUI. Wondering how to get started? Keep reading to find out! 

Install Safety Features In Your Car 

Whether or not you’ve been convicted of a DUI and have an SR-22 on file, one of the best ways Louisiana residents can save on car insurance is by requesting special discounts from their insurance company. And you can qualify for one discount very easily by simply installing extra safety features in your vehicle. 

How does this work? At the end of the day, your premium is determined by several factors, including how likely your ride is to get stolen. Once you install things like special alarms and more sophisticated antitheft devices, your carrier will see that your own automobile is much less likely to get stolen, and you’ll start saving each month thanks to the discount (even if you do have high-risk insurance). 

Look Into Multi-Car Discounts 

Do you have multiple cars in the family? In that case, it’s easy to qualify for a multi-car discount. All you have to do is get both vehicles insured by the same carrier and tell the carrier you are interested in this discount. 

Carriers love to offer this discount because it provides an incentive for existing customers to bring in more business. In turn, drivers enjoy this discount because it provides permanent savings without requiring much effort (after all, both of the vehicles were going to need to be insured anyway). 

And, of course, getting the coverage you need for two vehicles from the same carrier saves you plenty of time each month, and that’s on top of providing the savings that can make SR-22 insurance more affordable. 

Explore Multi-Policy Discounts 

Just as you can get a discount if you get multiple vehicles insured through the same carrier, it’s possible to get a multi-policy discount by getting different types of coverage from the same carrier. For example, if you’re someone who needs life insurance and/or renters insurance as well as automobile insurance, it’s possible to get all of them through the same carrier and effectively save on each policy. 

This “bundling” method is particularly good for Louisiana residents who have an SR-22 because, as with a multi-car discount, you were going to need coverage anyway. Why not get the coverage you need and save money at the same time? 

Change Cars 

Do you drive a nicer car? Well, if you have an SR-22 and hate how much your insurance has increased, one of the easiest ways you can save on your premium each month is by switching to a cheaper car. 

What you drive affects the cost of coverage because your carrier takes careful note of how expensive it would be to repair or replace your vehicle. If you are willing to downsize to a cheaper car, it will reduce how much you pay for your SR-22 coverage. And if you sell a more expensive car that you were still making payments on, you’ll now have cheaper payments, helping you save even more. 

Boost Your Credit 

When you get a DUI in Louisiana, your credit score is likely the last thing you are worried about. But once you see how much your premium has gone up, it may be worth signing up for a free credit monitoring service and using its suggestions to help improve your credit score. 

Believe it or not, your credit score is one of many different factors that your carrier considers when setting your monthly premium. Some of the factors are things that you can’t easily control (including gender, marital status, and where you live). But your credit score is something that you can take charge of, and carefully monitoring your credit history, making improvements, and disputing any incorrect info can help you quickly raise your score. 

This strategy is a “win/win” because it will do more than lower your monthly premium (which is always important to those with an SR-22). It will also make it easier for you to qualify for and get better rates for things like mortgages. 

Change Your Deductible 

Looking for a really simple way to save money after getting an SR-22 in Louisiana? In that case, you should consider raising your deductible. 

As you likely know, the deductible determines how much you have to pay on an insurance claim before your carrier pays the rest. A low deductible comes in handy if you get into an accident, but the rest of the time, you’ll be paying a higher amount for coverage each month. Conversely, raising your deductible will instantly lower your premium, and this may be a great option for drivers who don’t file many insurance claims. 

Get the Best SR-22 Car Insurance Today! 

Now you know the different ways to find affordable car insurance when you have an SR-22 in Louisiana. But do you know who can provide the coverage you deserve at prices you won’t believe? 

Here at USAgencies, we specialize in providing all drivers (even those with a DUI) with affordable protection from a carrier you can trust. To learn more about how we can help you save, come request a quote online, pop into one of our local offices in Louisiana, or give us a call at 800-420-3712 to get started.