10. Forgetting About Usage-Based Discounts
Many insurers now offer telematics programs that track your driving habits through a mobile app or a small device plugged into your car’s diagnostic port. Safe drivers who do not speed, brake harshly, or drive late at night can often save fifteen to thirty percent through these programs, sometimes more depending on the insurer and your specific driving patterns.
Skipping this option because it feels invasive, or because you assume it will not make a difference, means missing out on real, ongoing savings, especially if you already consider yourself a cautious driver. Most programs let you preview your score for a trial period before it locks in your final discount, so there is little downside to trying one.
Quick tip: Try a telematics program during a trial period first, since most insurers let you see your projected discount before it becomes a locked-in part of your policy.