Long-term insurance contracts are generally a carefree and welcome package. You don’t have to worry about anything and the effort is minimal. The downside: As an insured, you often consciously or unconsciously accept very high premiums. This applies not only to health insurance, but also to car or motorcycle insurance. Even a simple online comparison with providers such as FinanceScout24.ch or Comparis.ch shows differences of several hundred francs despite practically the same insurance benefits.
Blick reveals five savings tricks on how you can cut your premium costs for car or motorcycle insurance.
1.) Cancel on time
Every car driver is bound by a contract when it comes to car insurance. This cannot be canceled at any time. Contracts usually expire at the end of a calendar year. But usually within the year, for example one year after the start date. It is important to comply with the valid notice period of one or three months and to present the termination letter to the insurance company before this period expires. However, there are certain circumstances in which you can terminate a policy in an extraordinary way – for example when purchasing a new car or if you are dissatisfied with the handling of a claim.
2.) No double insurance
It often happens that insured persons are insured twice for the same claim. Therefore, you should carefully check which services are currently covered by current insurance. It is not unusual for car insurance companies to want to sell their customers passenger insurance for private individuals. Only: If you live in Switzerland and drive your car, you are already adequately insured against the consequences of accidents through compulsory accident insurance or health insurance. Additional insurance for items carried in the car is usually unnecessary. Items carried in the car are usually already covered by household insurance. If in doubt, it is best to check with your home insurance company whether such claims are covered.
3.) Increase in exemption
Motor insurance companies calculate their premiums based on various factors. Therefore, even with compulsory liability insurance for road traffic, there can sometimes be large premium differences with almost the same benefits from all providers. The reason for this is the insurance cost and the exemption amount. However, you can determine the deduction yourself. The following applies: the smaller the deductible, the higher the premiums. Caution: If you choose a high exemption to reduce annual fixed costs, you must create appropriate financial reserves in the event of an accident.
4.) Waiver of partial or full coverage insurance
Mandatory liability insurance does not cover damage to your own vehicle. There is partial or full coverage insurance for this. As a general rule: If you have a more expensive car, or a car that is not older than seven years and is also used by family members or friends, you should take out full coverage. This is generally not useful for older vehicles. And: If you take out comprehensive insurance, you should definitely pay attention to the damage it covers. Because this usually only applies if, for example, damage to parking or headlights is expressly covered by insurance.
5.) Lay down the plates in winter
For convertibles, vintage cars, mobile homes or mopeds that don’t drive in the winter, plates can be quickly and easily left at the road traffic office for a small fee during this time. If the plates are deposited, you can save some or all of the insurance costs and traffic taxes – but your vehicle will still be covered. If you want to drive again, you can apply for your license plate again and close it to traffic or have it sent to your home in a suitable way.