The Best Car Insurance Advice from Reddit

Reddit is a popular social media platform — the ninth most visited website in the world. Its users share insights, real-world experiences, support, and opinions across thousands of topic-specific communities called “subreddits.”

People looking to save money on car insurance can find a ton of valuable information on Reddit — the best of which we’ve shared below.

But there are good ways to use Reddit and better ways to use it, so we’ve also included our best tips for getting more from the “front page of the internet.”

Key Takeaways:

• Always follow rules, guidelines, and best practices on Reddit.
• Subreddits such as r/Insurance, r/CarInsurance, and r/PersonalFinance are filled with helpful insurance advice.
• Shopping around for car insurance is a common piece of advice from Redditors.

Popular Reddit Auto Insurance Subreddits

Subreddits — formerly known as communities — are places where you can ask questions and get answers from people interested or formally trained in a subject. You’ll also find conversations, questions, ideas, and more from the people within the community.

Here are the four best subreddits for information about car insurance and saving money on your policy.

r/Insurance

r/Insurance is the “all things insurance” subreddit. You can expect to find conversations about car insurance from industry insiders (insurance agents and brokers) as well as consumers. You’ll also find broader information about the insurance industry as a whole, including conversations about other insurance products (home, life, etc.) and insurance companies of all sizes.

This is a great place to spot broader trends in the market, like rate increases and non-renewals. But, as Reddit’s most active insurance community, it’s also a great place to ask questions and get advice from insurance professionals and experienced policyholders.

r/CarInsurance

This subreddit exists specifically for “Questions and Help” regarding topics such as:

• Shopping for car insurance
• Understanding how car insurance works
• Submitting car insurance claims
• Managing your policy after an accident

You’ll also find wider information about the car insurance market specifically. The insurance market is experiencing a lot of changes at the moment, including more extreme weather patterns, automobile technology advances, and population changes, to name a few. This is a great place to see how these changes affect your premiums and what you can do about it.

r/PersonalFinance

The r/PersonalFinance subreddit is a huge community (18 million members — the 35th-largest subreddit of all) interested in improving financial well-being. You’ll find coverage of a wide range of topics, including:

• Improving your credit score
• Getting out of debt
• Personal budgeting
• Saving money
• Investing
• Retirement planning

And you’ll find information about consumer products — especially auto, life, and homeowners insurance.

This is a great place to see how your car insurance policy fits into your wider financial picture. It’s also an excellent venue for asking questions about managing your car insurance costs against other financial obligations.

You might, for example, ask if you should downsize your car or look for other cuts in your budget. The users on r/PersonalFinance will have a wealth of ideas (and opinions) you can draw from.

r/Frugal

One more broad-ranging subreddit — r/Frugal — focuses on helping people become more intentional in how they spend their resources. And not just money, but time too. You’ll find nuanced discussions about how to determine when to splurge versus when to make do (plus lots of tips about making do and splurging well).

You won’t find as many professional insiders here. Instead, you’ll find like-minded people who know how to save well to live better. This is the place for you if:

• You’re looking for a change toward a more money-conscious lifestyle.
• You’re working toward large financial goals (paying down debt, funding retirement, etc.).
• You need motivation and ideas to stay on track financially.

Top 8 Reddit Tips to Save Money on Car Insurance

So, what do the experts on Reddit have to say when it comes to auto insurance shopping? Here are eight ways to save on your next policy.

Shop around and compare auto insurance quotes

Someone posed a question about how to save on auto insurance when you’re under 25 years old. This is a common question for young drivers because this age range tends to pay the most for auto insurance.

Here’s what u/sephiroth3650 had to say in response to this question.

One of the best things you can do to save money on your auto insurance is to compare quotes. This message is in response to a driver under 25 years old who wants to know how they can save money. Not only does the responder share that your auto insurance is likely to be higher when you’re in this age group, but they recommend getting quotes from several auto insurance companies to see if you can save.

When getting quotes, you’ll learn that rates can vary drastically for the same coverage, so you’ll likely be able to secure coverage with a different company at a lower rate without sacrificing quality.

Another important point to note is that you need to be sure you’re comparing apples to apples. If you ask a friend how much they’re paying, but you have different coverage levels, you’re comparing apples to oranges, so it doesn’t tell you if their insurance company will get you lower rates.

The best thing you can do is use an auto insurance comparison calculator to compare rates and see which company can offer you the best price.

Don’t allow your insurance to lapse

A driver posed the question, “Should I cancel my auto insurance for a couple of months since I won’t be using it?” This is a thought that I’m sure has gone through many people’s minds when they knew they wouldn’t be driving for a certain period. While it sounds easy enough to cancel your policy and start it back up when you’re ready, it’s not that simple.

Here’s what u/t-poke had to say in response to this question.

Going any period without auto insurance can be costly. Let’s say you know you won’t be driving for several months and choose to cancel your policy. You’ll find that once you replace your policy, you’ll pay more than you did in the past. That’s because auto insurers now see you as a high-risk driver and will set your premium accordingly.

Instead of canceling your insurance altogether, it’s often better to decrease your coverage, see if your insurance company offers a storage-only policy that you can use temporarily, or keep your coverage as is. Otherwise, with your rates increasing, you’ll likely wind up paying more in the end.

Also, keep in mind that if you have a loan or lease on your vehicle, your finance company will still require you to carry the appropriate level of insurance to protect your interest, so in this case, you don’t have much of a choice.

If you’re at fault, you can’t choose whether the other party uses insurance

One driver came to Reddit wondering if they could convince the driver they were in an accident to skip out on filing an insurance claim.

u/nails_for_Breakfast had the perfect response to this dilemma.

Let’s say you rear-end someone, but the damage is minuscule (or so you think). You’d rather pay for the damages out of pocket, but the driver you hit wants to go through their insurance company. Ultimately, you have no rights in this situation. The other driver who’s not at fault doesn’t have to skip insurance and let you pay for the damages. That’s why auto insurance exists. Whether damages are great or small, your insurance is there so drivers don’t have to work with the other drivers directly, and instead, their insurance company can offer financial protection while being the go-between for the two parties.

Look at pay-per-mile insurance

With increased auto insurance prices over the last few years, everyone is looking to save money, and the driver who asked this question is no different. They were looking for ways to save and when the topic of pay-per-mile insurance popped up, u/mrandre3000 chimed in about how it saved him big time over several years.

Thankfully, some auto insurance companies are using technology to help you save on your auto insurance. There are telemetric programs and pay-per-mile insurance programs that allow you to pay based on how much you drive instead of paying a flat monthly fee no matter how much you’re behind the wheel.

With most pay-per-mile insurance programs, you’ll be assigned a low flat monthly rate. Then, you’ll pay an amount for each mile you drive that month. So, if you have a short commute, work from home, or don’t drive your car often, you might find great savings by switching to one of these programs.

Consider the financial risk you’re willing to take

It’s common to question whether you have too much or not enough auto insurance coverage.  While all states have minimum auto insurance coverage requirements, any additional coverage you select is up to you.

u/inthe801 gave a pretty good response to the question that makes you consider how much risk you’re willing to take when considering how much auto insurance to secure.

While we know it’s annoying to pay for insurance you might not use or rarely use, in many cases, it’s worth the protection you’re gaining. If you’re asking yourself whether you should drop coverage to save on your premium, you have to ask yourself whether you can financially handle the worst-case scenario.

For example, if you drop collision and comprehensive coverage, can you afford to pay for all your medical and vehicle-related expenses if your car is totaled? In that case, you might choose not to continue to carry coverage. However, if you know it would bankrupt you, it’s probably a good idea to maintain these coverages because doing without isn’t worth the financial risk.

There are several ways to save on your premium

There’s more than one way to save on your auto insurance premium. Yes, you can shop around and compare rates, but it doesn’t stop there. Another option is to increase your deductible. In agreeing to pay a high deductible, you’ll lower your insurance premium. Why? Because auto insurance companies know you’re agreeing to pay more before your insurance coverage kicks in. So you’re less likely to file a claim, decreasing how much they’ll pay while you’re covered under them.

This is a much better way to save on your insurance than dropping collision/comprehensive coverage or decreasing your coverage limits.

The only thing you have to remember is that you need to be able to afford to pay the deductible before your insurance protection kicks in. So, if you know you won’t be able to come up with $1,000 if you’re in an accident next month, don’t set a $1,000 deductible.

Cancel your policy in the right order

Having a lapse in your auto insurance is easier than you might think. Let’s say you’ve decided to cancel your policy. You might think you can cancel your plan and sign up with a new policy the next day. Even one day without insurance is considered a lapse and makes you a high-risk driver in the eyes of auto insurance companies.

The best thing you can do is sign up for your auto insurance and get the date your new policy will become active. Then set the cancellation date for your current policy to a couple of days after the new one starts. This allows you to be safe and ensure you won’t have a lapse on your policy.

Get the most coverage you can afford

When you’re left wondering how much auto insurance you should get, the best thing you can do is secure the max amount of coverage you can afford.  That’s because, as the respondent said, you never know whether you’ll be involved in an accident with a brand-new Tesla or a $1,000 Honda Accord. Either way, even if the vehicle isn’t damaged, with the rising cost of healthcare expenses, you could be on the hook for expensive bills if you don’t carry enough coverage to pay for the bills through your insurance policy.

Navigating Reddit for Auto Insurance Information

There’s so much knowledge waiting for you on Reddit, but how do you find it? Luckily, it’s not hard. Below, we’ve compiled some helpful tips to get the most out of your Reddit search.

How to search for relevant posts

The search feature on Reddit works much like a search engine. Here are the steps to get the best results:

1. Enter your search term (e.g., “cheap car insurance”) in the search bar and hit enter to get results.
2. Review your search results page, which will show you posts, comments, subreddits, and users related to your search.

If your search results are too broad, try narrowing your search (e.g., “cheap car insurance AND Indiana”). You can also filter your search by time frame or sort by a variety of factors (such as relevance or popularity). And if you don’t get any relevant hits, try broadening your search (e.g., “car insurance”).

Finally, don’t shy away from subreddits. There, you can find answers to questions you wouldn’t know to ask.

Engaging with the Reddit community

Reddit is a great place to learn new things, hear new viewpoints, and share what you know. But there are some formal and informal standards you should know. Here are some best practices.

• Read the rules and guidelines: Each subreddit has a unique set of rules and guidelines. Before posting or commenting, be sure you understand what’s allowed and what’s not allowed to avoid getting your content removed.
• Be helpful: Share your thoughts when you have something to add to the conversation (avoid “lol” or emoji-only responses). Share who you are or what you do if it’s relevant to the discussion.
• Be authentic: There’s no need to sound overly professional. Write like you’re having a conversation with friends you don’t know yet. If you’re using words like “nor” or “thus,” you can probably get more conversational.
• Site your sources and provide links: If you’re making a compelling point, backing it up with evidence and additional resources is a great way to add value to your posts and comments.
• Upvote and downvote responsibly: Use the upvote and downvote buttons to highlight quality content and discussions. Reserve downvotes for irrelevant or inappropriate content, and avoid using them for content that you disagree with.

Verifying user credibility and expertise

On a site where users can remain anonymous, it’s hard to tell whether content is coming from a trusted source. Here are some indications that you can trust the person offering advice.

• Post history: Frequent, high-quality posts — especially on relevant topics — may indicate expertise. Check the user’s post history to see what kind of content they contribute and which conversations they participate in.
• Karma and awards: High karma points and awards (such as Reddit Gold, Silver, or Platinum) suggest that other users find their contributions valuable.
• External links and credentials: Occasionally, users may link to their personal websites, portfolios, or social media profiles, which can provide additional context and information about their expertise.
• Consistency and depth: Look for users who consistently provide well-reasoned, in-depth responses with supporting evidence or sources.

If a Reddit user meets all four of these criteria, they’re likely a trustworthy source. But it’s still a good idea to do wider research when making financial decisions.

FAQs About the Best Car Insurance Advice on Reddit

Want to learn more? Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions by drivers like you.

How reliable are Reddit auto insurance recommendations?

Reddit auto insurance recommendations vary. Some users offer valuable insights, while others lack expertise. Upvotes and downvotes are good indications of a post’s quality, but consider multiple opinions and verify information with reputable sources before making insurance decisions.

Who pays the most for auto insurance?

People considered high-risk — especially young or inexperienced drivers, people with poor driving records, and people in high-risk areas — typically pay the highest auto insurance premiums. So a young driver with multiple serious driving incidents (DUI, accident, etc.) in a high-risk area would pay the highest rates on average.

Do auto insurance quotes hurt credit?

No, most insurance companies perform “soft credit” inquiries for quotes, which won’t affect your credit score. A hard credit check performed during your policy application may have a minor impact. But the impact is temporary and should resolve in one to three months.

Are online auto insurance companies legit?

Yes, you can find legitimate car insurance companies offering reputable coverage online. It’s still important to research and verify credibility before buying your policy. Read reviews and check their financial stability.

Sources

1. Semrush, “Most Visited Websites by Traffic in the world for all categories, June 2023,” Accessed July 30, 2023.