Being a single parent is one of the hardest challenges an adult can go through. Your finances are usually stretched very thin, you never have enough hours in the day to get everything done, and the task of raising your child or children to become decent human beings is doubly hard. You’d think that auto insurance companies would give single parents a break by offering specific discounts or lowering their premiums. Regrettably, the truth is a little more complicated than that.

Car Insurance for Single Parents

Sadly, there are no discounts for single parents. If anything, it’s usually married people who have lower monthly premiums despite the fact that single parents face greater financial hardship on average.

But although your personal circumstances as a single parent might not earn you the car insurance discounts you deserve, you should ask your insurance agent about what discounts you are entitled to, which include (but are not limited to) any of the following:

• Group Discounts – If you pertain to a certain union or interest group, you might qualify for savings. Oftentimes insurance companies will give discounts to military veterans, teachers, service members, and more.
• Mileage Discount – Some insurance providers give discounts to motorists who drive less than the average. Living close enough to walk to work or school (or both) can help, and so can carpooling.
• Safe Driver Discount – If you have been accident-free for at least three years, ask your insurance agent about potential Safe Driver discounts. Between 3-5 years of a clean driving history is usually when these discounts become active. You can also take a Defensive Driver course at your local DMV.
• Family Policy Discount – if you have a child who is old enough to drive and needs coverage, you can usually save money by adding them to your current auto policy (As opposed to putting them on their own). Teenage motorists can also lower their rates, whether on a solo policy or bundled with you, by maintaining a good GPA and taking driver education courses.

Car insurance for Single Moms and Dads – Tips & Tricks

Make sure and look carefully at your policy. There may be types of coverage that you are currently forking out for, but don’t actually need. Likewise, there are certain types of coverage – like Collision or Comprehensive – which will become much cheaper to maintain if you raise your deductible.

If you are unhappy with your current insurance provider, or suspect you might get a better deal with another company, be sure to shop around. And don’t just look into only one or two other companies, either. To really know whether or not you’re getting the best deal, you need quotes from at least 3 different providers. And sites like ours can help you get them quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

Finally, you can save a little money on your insurance premiums by forking out in six month installments instead of monthly. You’ll save money both in the short term for your auto insurance policy, but also build a higher credit score so that you can get savings from other financial institutions as well.