The new trend in the insurance industry is get insurance premiums lowered by doing charitable work. Spending free time working at the local food pantry, running the bingo game at the retirement center, or ringing the bell for donations on behalf of a non-profit organization offers rewards that benefit others as well as the volunteer in areas of health, bettering the community and knowledge of good causes. But can charitable work save the volunteer money as well? When it is time to get a car insurance quote, mention charitable work and get a significant discount. People know the obvious discounts like multiple vehicle, safe driver, and homeowners, but most don't know that some insurance companies offer discounts for participating in charitable work.

The first step in getting a premium lowered is asking the agent if this discount is available. A lot of people just take the price quoted as inflexible with all discounts already given. When speaking to an agent about a car insurance quote ask, "Some insurance companies offer discounts for charitable work that is done on a volunteer basis. Does your company offer this benefit?" Chances are, their company does not advertise this discount but has it listed under "other discounts."

If this doesn't get an instant discount, ask for the reason why in writing. This is sometimes enough for the company to offer the discount just by realizing the position the company is taking on charitable work. If a written response does come, this is a chance to change company policy. A written appeal can then be filed with the company for this discount. When writing a written appeal, point out that people that participate in charitable work are a lower risk to the company. Studies have shown that people who participate in charitable work are less aggressive and less stressed; this results in safer drivers. If the appeal is in writing, an insurance company is more likely to take a point seriously and rewrite their procedures. They should want to offer discounts for the sake of keeping their client's policy intact and keeping the client satisfied.

If these steps don't get you a discount, go to a company that does offer the charitable work discount. When getting a car insurance quote, realize that an insurance company is interested in getting and keeping business with clients that are not going to cause a loss. The interest of the insured is to keep their vehicle, passengers and property protected so that charitable work can keep getting done to make this world a better place for all of posterity.