The #1 way to save money on your auto policy has to do with the characteristics of your vehicle? This mainly centers around the safety & security of the car you drive down Austin's streets.

It's pretty simple really: the more safe your car is the lower the chances that you will be injured in a car accident, therefore the lower the chances that your auto insurer will have to pay for your medical expenses. This mainly concerns your ability to get Medical-related coverage

When it comes to the security of your vehicle - the more secure your vehicle the less chance it will get stolen. Because of this lower chance of theft, local Austin insureres will sell you Comprehensive coverage for a cheaper price.

It's an easy topic folks, I promise. Just review this short-list of the 10 safety & security discounts below, and you'll be on your way to saving big on compulsory auto insurance

Shall We Begin?

TOPIC 1: SAFETY FEATURES for Austin Automobile Insurance

1. PASSIVE RESTRAINTS

Once again, most Austinite drivers have at least one form of these.  Passive restraints are automatic safety devices, such as:

-Other advanced seatbelt systems, like those offered in the new Toyota Scion tC Supercharger.

-Automatic Seatbelts

-Sliding Door-mounted belts

2. AIRBAGS

Most Austinites have either front or side airbags for either the passenger or driver in their vehicle.  This feature comes standard on many vehicles now, for example the new Volkswagen Beetle. Here’s the complete listing of airbag types:

-Passenger Airbags (frontal) - like on the new Chevrolet Avalanche

-Driver Airbags (frontal)

-Driver Airbags (Side) - great safety feature

-Passenger Airbags (Side)

Continuing On..........

3. AUTOMATIC DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

This great factory-set feature makes it impossible to turn off the headlights for your vehicle.  Certain Japanese vehicle-makers (like the Nissan Altima) have this standard on some models.

SIDE NOTE: Other car-makers are also doing this. It really depends on the laws of the state. Texas currently does not push this discount on insurance agencies, but that could change soon.

4. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

Amazingly Almost everyone has these, but - remarkably - fails to mention this to their local Austinite agent.  If you don’t mention them, you could be missing out on a great discount.

Continuing On..........

TOPIC 2: SECURITY FEATURES for Austin Texas Auto Insurance

1. MANUAL vehicle ALARM

Phil from Progressive stated that most insurers give a 2% discount for this.  This type of automobile alarm must be armed manually by local Austinite drivers, typically using a key-ring remote control, or a manual punch-pad.  Amazingly, because this must be manually activated, the discount is lower, or not offered at all by Austin (TX) auto insurer agencies.

Hot Tip: Could get you 2% off on a Comprehensive policy

2. STEERING WHEEL LOCKING BAR

Austinites commonly refer to it as the “The Club” Not all agents give discount for this, because it must be manually activated (physically), and it is relatively easy to remove by experienced thieves. One agent source, Phil from Progressive, stated that his company does not offer this discount, but knows that other Austin agents do.

SIDE NOTE: Make sure to do an inventory on all the vehicles that your family drives (if you have a Family/Group Policy).

3. AUTO RECOVERY SYSTEM

Local Austinites refer to this by its nickname - the "Lo-Jack" - and it is the most effective anti-theft device on the market.  It consists of a transponder that allows your vehicle to be tracked by local Austin police.  A local driver (we’ll call him John D. Policyholder to maintain his anonymity) was able to save $334.46 on a bi-annual policy with AIG!

Hot Tip: Could get you as much as 10% off on a Comprehensive policy

4. AUTOMATIC vehicle ALARM

This great type of alarm is automatically activated as soon as the Austinite driver locks their doors (key or remote control), or even shuts their doors.

- Big insurers, like AIG, will offer discounts for automatic alarms, but may not for manually-armed ones.

Hot Tip: Could get you 5% off on Austin Texas Comprehensive.

Continuing On..........

5. ELECTRONIC IMMOBILIZER

A great factory-installed feature cuts off power to your ignition, once the key is removed, making it near-impossible to "hotwire" the vehicle.

- Some Austin vehicle insurance agencies require that this great security feature be coupled with a regular alarm system (i.e. must have both) in order to qualify.

- Must be passive (automatically activated) to get discount

6. WINDOW GLASS ETCHING

Pay a visit to your local Austin mechanic, and have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched into all of the windows glasses in your vehicle.  Talk to your local Austinite dealer or auto hobby shop to see who can do this, or just do it yourself.

- Not all Austin agencies offer this discount; make sure to ask anyways

See......... I told you it was simple. Remember that the insurer companies are not always going to be looking out for your best interest, so it is up to you to be sure of all the safety & security vehicle discounts that apply to vehicles you are insuring.

That's It! I hope you found this article helpful. Please visit www.autoinsuranceqanda.com/austin-auto-insurance if you want to learn more about savings applicable to you in our lovely city of Austin.