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48 | SPRING 2020 Lesser-known facts about car insurance Car insurance B efore you purchase car insurance, it's important to know all the details. Sure, you know the make and model of your vehicle and your driving history impacts the rate of your premiums. Here are some other, lesser-known facts you should keep in mind about car insurance. Learn these and you could save some cash. Your credit score matters Your credit score is often factored into your premium rate. That's because insurance companies have fi gured out that certain credit behaviors indicate a predisposal to fi le a claim. This is just one more reason to make sure your credit score is as high as it can possibly be. Automatic renewal isn't best If you merely renew your auto insurance every year, you're likely missing out on savings. Instead of maintaining the status quo, at the end of every year, comparison shop. It's easy to get insurance quotes online. Search for the best deal available and make the change. You can save by paying upfront As MarketWatch reports, insurance compa- nies may charge you a "convenience fee" for paying your premium every month. If you are fi nancially able, pay your entire premium up- front, and you'll save money. You also won't have to worry about missing a payment. They can cancel your coverage Your insurance company can cancel your policy for any number of reasons cited in their guidelines, including missing a payment. They must provide you with a reason why they are canceling. If they don't, take it up with your state's department of insurance. BY CHRIS O'SHEA