There are plenty of guides out there that talk endlessly about getting your first insurance policy. Indeed, there are even plenty of guides out there that talk about switching your car insurance policy from one carrier to another. However, there are very few guides that actually handle adjusting your car insurance policy. It can be difficult for some newcomers to the insurance world to understand why another would want to adjust their insurance policy, when it seems so much easier to just take your proverbial marbles and find a new playground. It’s not quite that simple in many cases.

You see, it’s really all about making sure that you will be able to get the best deal possible from every angle — not just price. It can be tempting to feel like you will always be able to save money on car insurance, but the truth is that your needs might change. For example, a family member that used to be prohibited from driving might have now received their driver’s license. That’s going to bring your rate up slightly, but you will already know this in advance and can make negotiations with your current company. If you’ve been with a company for a long time, then you’ve already built up a certain amount of tenure within the company. This “tenure” can be what makes the difference between getting exactly what you want and having to argue for hours on end with a representative. The stark truth of the matter is that companies like to reward loyalty, because loyalty equals profits. Now, that might not be what you want to hear, but you will need to think like an insurance company in order to actually save money on your car insurance policy.

So, if you’ve ever wondered whether or not you can really adjust your car insurance policy, the reality is that you certainly can — here’s how to do it!

Generally speaking, if your insurance company of choice has a website where you can look at your policy, then your steps will be a lot smoother than someone that has to call in to make change. All you really need to do is make sure that you sign onto the website, make your changes, and get them saved. You will usually receive something in the mail, along with an electronic confirmation that you’ve made changes to your policy. Keep in mind that any changes that you might make will be something that’s definitely for the best.

However, what do you do if your insurance company forces you to actually talk to someone on the phone? There’s no need to feel afraid about this, as long as you’re willing to take the necessary steps to protect yourself. For example, you will want to be firm on what changes you want to make. Sometime the insurance company will try to sell you on what they term “value added” services — do not be fooled, as these are profit generators for the insurance company. There is a time and a place for everything, but you should definitely decline “last minute” offers that you get pitched on the phone.

If there is a confirmation code associated with phone transactions, make sure that you receive it as well as the representative’s call badge and number. This way, if there are any problems, you will be able to directly reference who set you up with those changes. When you get anything in the mail, it’s equally important to save it — you never know when you’ll have to fall back on those documents!

Not all changes are bad, and if you’re ready to take control of your car insurance policy, the tips here in this guide should definitely help you get things rolling in the right direction!