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How to save money on car expenses
30 tips to save money on your car insurance, car loan, maintenance and more
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You could end up paying more for your car’s expenses than necessary if you don’t regularly evaluate your insurance coverage, take care of your car or negotiate your loan terms from the dealer. Follow these tips to save thousands of dollars on insurance, maintenance and car loan repayments over the life of your car.
How to save money on car insurance
Just like paying for fuel, your insurance is a recurring cost that’s worth finding savings for. It’s a good thing that you can find multiple, easy ways to save on your premium.
1. Compare several companies.
Because many different factors go into your insurance rate, you might receive different quotes from different companies. While you’re weighing pros and cons of each, consider the value of the coverage you get along with a provider’s low rates.
2. Evaluate your coverage.
Take a good look at your policy and see if you have overlapping coverage like roadside service from your car warranty or add-ons you can live without. For example, an old beater car may not worth buying collision coverage for because the add-on might cost more than your car’s worth.
You can also adjust your deductible, the amount you pay up front before your insurance pays out. A higher deductible like $1,000 means lower premiums.
But consider whether the lower coverage would put undue strain on your finances after an accident. If you up your deductible to $1,000 but only save $20 a month, the savings might not be worth the lower protection.
3. Bundle insurance policies with one company
Insurance companies offer steep discounts anywhere from 10% to 25% for bundling several types of policies, like home or renters insurance along with your auto coverage.
You can find similar discounts for insuring multiple vehicles, including cars, motorcycles or RVs.
4. Look into a defensive driving course.
Your insurance company may offer a discount for taking a safe driving course, typically around 5% to 10% for several years which can translate into hundreds of dollars saved. Since online courses set you back $25 or $50, you’ll pocket the rest as savings.
5. Research the cheapest cars to insure.
Your car’s insurance rate varies by its make and model, and cars with high safety ratings and low theft rates get the cheapest insurance rates.
By researching before you buy, you can make sure your rates stay low compared to other cars.
6. Keep an eye out for discounts.
You might qualify for multiple discounts if you set up automatic payments or pay your premium in full, saving an easy 10% off your premiums. Paying in full also bypasses processing fees, which can cost another $50 or more per year.
Other discounts include 10% to 40% off each for good students, car safety features or antitheft alarms.
7. Try an online provider.
If you’re comfortable navigating online accounts, customer service chats and online claims, you could stick with an online provider. These may have less overhead than using companies with local agents, decreasing your rates overall.
8. Use telematics or pay as you go.
This type of policy or program uses an app or device installed in your car to track your driving habits and mileage. Many programs make suggestions to help you improve your safety on the road, leading to steep discounts and fewer accidents.
Pay-as-you-go insurance works best for low mileage drivers because this policy charges drivers by the mile. In addition, pay-as-you-go may use telematics to track how safe a driver you are.
9. Add teens to your policy.
Teen drivers can increase your premium by a steep amount. That’s because teens statistically get into more accidents than older, more experienced drivers. By combining policies, your teen can typically get the best rates.
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How to save on your car loan
Car payments can be where owning a vehicle has the biggest impact on your wallet. But there are a few ways you can reduce how much you pay each month.
1. Compare and negotiate offers.
Before you buy your car, don’t just go with what the dealership offers. Look at all of your financing options — including auto loans and leases. You might want to consider prequalifying with an auto lender so you have a number to bring to the dealership to negotiate down your APR. If you don’t get a better deal, you can always go with the lender.
2. Refinance your car loan.
If your credit or income has improved since you took out your car loan, you could save by refinancing. To do that, you might contact several lenders to find out what interest rate they offer. Ideally, you would refinance the balance of your current loan at a lower interest rate to save money.
3. Lengthen your term.
Lengthening the time to repay your loan lowers monthly payments in the short term. This option works best if you need wiggle room in your budget but can’t save money using other methods. However, extending the term does increase how much you pay in interest over time.
4. Swap your lease.
If you get into a lease with high payments, you could opt to swap out your contract with someone else. The other person would take over the lease, leaving you to buy or lease another car within your budget. You can find people who want to swap on sites like Leasetrader, LeaseQuit or Swapalease.
5. Switch cars or downsize to one car.
You could sell the car, pay off the loan and use any profit from the sale to buy a lower-cost car — just be sure that the loan doesn’t have a prepayment penalty first.
If you make the move to become a one-car household, you could save hundreds of dollars a month if you have a loan on the car. Downsizing to one car also helps you cut registration, parking and maintenance costs.
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How to save on car repairs and maintenance
Maintenance might be a necessary cost of car ownership, but you don’t have to pay through the roof for it. Save money and keep you car in good condition using a few tips.
1. Follow your car’s maintenance schedule.
Reduce repairs by keeping up with your car’s recommended maintenance, including flushing brake or transmission fluid, replacing spark plugs, replacing brake pads, balancing wheels and checking your tires. In addition, stick to the recommended type of oil to extend the life of your engine.
2. Do small repairs yourself.
Taking care of easy maintenance and repairs can save a lot on mechanic costs. Simple items might include replacing your own tires, changing your oil filter, replacing headlights or even a damaged bumper.
3. Top off your fluids.
Driving with low fluids could make your engine work harder, leading to faster wear or unnecessary repairs. Keep your coolant, antifreeze, oil and power steering fluids topped up to avoid that scenario.
4. Consider a mobile mechanic.
If you’re not so savvy when it comes to cars, look into mechanics that will come to you when you need small repairs and quick maintenance work. It’ll likely cost a fraction of what you’d pay to take it to a full-fledged shop. Just make sure you do the research and find a reputable technician.
5. Take it in for an independent tune-up.
Along with simple maintenance, getting your car tuned up at the recommended mileage makes sure it stays in top working condition. Consider going with an independent repair shop if it charges less than your car’s manufacturer.
6. Get estimates for repairs.
It pays to do your homework on repair costs in advance if you have an idea of the problem. In addition, you can ask for a repair estimate before consenting to the work. That way you can check prices with multiple trusted repair shops or negotiate a fair price if you feel the estimate is high.
How to save money on fuel
Americans pay an average 10 cents per mile for gasoline after including factors like the cost of fuel and driving habits, according to AAA. But a few simple changes can get the most out of your mileage.
1. Buy a car with good fuel economy.
If you’re looking for a new car, consider one with high fuel economy. In general, smaller cars get the best mileage, but fuel economy also varies by make and model.
2. Keep your tires inflated.
Low tire pressure causes extra drag as you drive, not to mention that it can damage your wheels. Keep tires fully aired up at the pressure recommended for your vehicle and type of tires. Many vehicles require pressure to stay around 32 or 35 PSI for best results, but trucks might need more.
3. Stay wary of extra weight.
Heavy cargo makes your car work harder to haul everything around, so you might keep only what’s necessary in your car. Try removing extra equipment, bike racks or cargo carriers when you’re not using them.
4. Use cruise control.
This simple feature keeps your speed consistent on the highway or interstate, which means you won’t press the gas to speed up as often.
5. Drive gently.
Likewise, hitting the brakes or gas pedal hard can drive up your fuel costs significantly. According to the Department of Energy, doing so could add an extra 25 cents to $1 per gallon.
6. Avoid idling.
Running your car at a standstill wastes gas and can be hard on your engine. If you come to a stop due to traffic or picking up a passenger, consider turning off the engine for long waits.
How to save on depreciation
Saving the most on your car’s depreciation involves a little upfront work before purchasing. However, your efforts can pay off down the road when you resell or trade in your car.
1. Consider a less pricey car.
Depreciation involves losing money on your car’s value over time because of its age and wear. However, the less valuable your car is upfront, the less you stand to lose as your car ages.
2. Buy a car that’s a few years old.
Cars depreciate the most within its first few years. By buying a used or leased car that’s one or two years old, you avoid paying for that depreciation yourself.
3. Research cars that hold their value.
Every car depreciates at a different rate, and cars with top safety ratings and few mechanical problems might hold their value over time. Buying one of these cars ensures you get the most back after reselling.
4. Keep your car longer.
Switching out new cars often means you’re paying the high cost of new car depreciation over and over again. You can decrease that amount by keeping your car longer because you’ll end up purchasing fewer new cars over your lifetime.
Bottom line
Owning a car can get pricey when you factor in your car loan or lease, its value over time, maintenance and insurance costs. On the other hand, a few smart choices in each of these areas can ease the strain on your wallet, helping you free up some cash.
Questions about saving money on car expenses
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