Did you know you may be able to lower your bills by negotiating them? There are all kinds of bills out there that you can lower to save money, like insurance, internet, and even medical bills. I’ve negotiated a few bills myself and have some tips to share that can increase your chances of a…
Did you know you may be able to lower your bills by negotiating them?
There are all kinds of bills out there that you can lower to save money, like insurance, internet, and even medical bills. I’ve negotiated a few bills myself and have some tips to share that can increase your chances of a successful negotiation. In today’s post, I’ll show you how to negotiate quite a few.
Most of us are overpaying on bills and don’t even know it. And since bills are usually a monthly recurrence, a few dollars saved every month can make a big impact in the long run.
Today, I’m sharing a list of bills you can negotiate, what you should say when negotiating a bill, and what to do if a company says no.
Recommended reading: How To Save $10,000 A Year
10 Monthly Bills You Can Negotiate
Here’s a list of bills you can negotiate to lower your monthly spending.
Recommended reading: 50 Best Ways to Save Money
1. Car insurance
Car insurance (and all types of insurance) is negotiable just like other bills.
First, you’ll need to call your insurer directly and tell them you’re reviewing your policy and want to see if they can lower your rate. Mention that you’ve been a loyal customer for X years and have seen lower quotes from other companies. Something like, “Can you match or beat that rate?” is particularly helpful if you already have a quote from another insurance provider for your exact car.
This is also a great time to ask about all possible discounts, including safe driver, multi-car, bundling, low mileage, defensive driving class, good student, etc.
Your insurance provider wants to do everything they can to keep you instead of losing you as a customer, so this is a good place to get started.
2. Internet
Negotiating your internet bill works similarly to negotiating your car insurance bill.
First, you’ll want to call your internet service provider and see if they have any special promotions, loyalty discounts, or plan upgrades at a lower rate. You can also mention that you’ve seen competitors selling faster service for less money. This works even better if you have actual proof you can share with them right away (like a screenshot).
You can also ask your internet provider if they combine internet with TV, phone, or mobile services to reduce your overall bill. Obviously, this will only save you money if you want to bundle and have those extra services.
My sister’s internet bill recently more than doubled. She called and was able to get her monthly bill back to the price that she had signed up for a few years previous – which was a savings of over $500 each year!
3. Medical bill
Negotiating medical bills can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, when you do it right.
Here’s how.
First, you’ll want to review your bill carefully and check for errors, duplicate charges, or even services you didn’t receive.
Then, call the billing department and ask if they can reduce the total or help you set up a payment plan. Ask for discounts if you pay in full right away. If you’re insured, ask if self-pay rates are lower because sometimes they are.
Make sure you explain your situation clearly, but nicely, and make sure to get everything in writing if there are reductions or payment plans put into place.
4. Cell phone bill
Cell phone companies are always fighting for customers, which makes this one of the best bills to negotiate first.
First, you’ll want to contact customer support to see if there are any loyalty discounts or promotions available.
Like I mentioned earlier, share that you’ve seen competitors offer similar plans for less, and you want to see if they can match or beat the competitor’s price.
Also, see if you can remove extra unused features you don’t need, like insurance, extra data, or streaming add-ons if these cost extra. You can also ask to be connected to the retention department, which is in charge of keeping customers with the company.
5. Cable TV
Negotiating a cable TV bill is like negotiating a cell phone and internet bill, so you’ll want to do the same thing.
Call customer service and tell them you’ve seen a competitor sell similar cable plans for less, and ask if they can match or beat the price. You can also see if you can remove channels or features you don’t need to reduce your bill. You can also ask if modem, DVR, or cable box fees can be waived or lowered.
Recommended reading: 16 Best Alternatives To Cable TV
6. Gym membership
Believe it or not, you may be able to lower your gym membership cost by negotiating.
Try calling the gym and asking if there are any reduced rates for long-term members or if you buy a one-year membership. If you’re not using your membership that much and aren’t sure if you’ll use it a few months from now, a one-year membership probably isn’t the best idea, though.
7. Magazine or newspaper subscription
Magazines and newspapers usually have renewal discounts if you ask.
You can also ask to be switched from print to digital to lower the cost. You can also flat-out ask them if they have any current discount offers for loyal subscribers. Many publishers have better deals during the renewal time of your service, so this is a good time to call.
8. Home insurance
You can negotiate your home insurance just like you would your car insurance.
You can start by sending your current home insurance agent an email and asking, “What can I do to lower my home insurance rates?” They will typically go through your policy and see what can be changed, and they may also be able to shop around for quotes from different companies.
You can also compare quotes yourself from different insurers and see if there are discounts for bundling home and auto insurance, installing security systems, smoke detectors, or being claim-free. You may try raising your deductible, which usually lowers your premiums, but make sure you can cover the deductible if needed (for example, instead of the deductible being $2,000, you may try increasing it to $5,000 and see if that saves you any money and is worthwhile).
9. Credit cards
Yes, you can even lower your credit card costs by negotiating.
You can ask for a lower interest rate, waive annual fees or late fees, or share that you’ve seen competitors with lower rates and ask if they can match those rates. Keep in mind, companies are more likely to negotiate with reliable customers who pay bills on time.
Recommended reading: Best Credit Cards | What You Need To Know
10. Car payment (by refinancing)
While you can’t negotiate a car payment directly, you may be able to refinance through a new lender to drop your monthly bill.
iLending is a company that connects you with lenders, typically local credit unions, who will help refinance your car. This is a great way to lower your monthly car payment, especially if your credit score has improved since you first got your loan.
On average, iLending customers save around $145 per month or $1,700 per year just by switching, so it’s a lot of money you can save!
Want to see how much you could save? Get your free quote from iLending by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a list of the most common questions about negotiating bills.
What bills can I get lowered?
You can negotiate all kinds of bills, including cable, internet, medical, insurance, and more.
How much can I save by negotiating bills?
How much you save on negotiating bills depends on whether you switch plans or providers, or how much of a discount the company gives you. For example, you might save between $50 to $500 per year on cable or internet bills, $10 to $50 per month on cell phone bills, and up to 20% off premiums on insurance.
Can you negotiate your electric bill?
You can negotiate your electric bill, but it sometimes depends on the company and where you live. For example, I live in Nevada, which is a regulated state, meaning electricity is provided by one company, and we are not allowed to choose our electricity provider. To find out if you can negotiate your electric bill, call your provider and ask if they have loyalty discounts, promos, or budget plans.
What should I say when negotiating a bill?
Here’s a script of what you can say when negotiating a bill.
“Hi, I’m a loyal customer and have always paid on time. I wanted to see if there’s any way to lower my bill. I’ve noticed competitors have lower rates, and I’d love to stay with your company if you can match or improve my current plan. Are there any discounts, promotions, or programs I qualify for?”
What you’re telling them is that you’re a loyal customer, but you’re also mentioning that you’ve seen better prices out there and want to give them a chance before switching permanently.
What to say if the company says no?
Here’s what to say if the company says no.
You: “I understand. Are there any other promotions, plans, or loyalty discounts I might qualify for?”
If still no: “I really value being a customer. I am thinking about switching to a competitor. Is there any way you could match their rate?”
If still no: “Could I speak with a supervisor or retention specialist to see if they can help?”
What if I don’t like talking on the phone?
If you don’t like talking on the phone (I don’t, either), then first try out the support via online chat. Many companies have online live chat, and you may be successful in lowering your bills that way, but I do find the highest success rates are when you’re talking to them directly on the phone.
Monthly Bills You Can Negotiate – Summary
I hope you enjoyed my article on monthly bills you can negotiate.
There are tons of bills you can negotiate to save extra money. From car insurance to medical bills, the list is endless.
Want to challenge yourself right now? Call or message one of your monthly bill service providers now, and try to get a bill lowered. You may be surprised by what happens.
What bills do you plan on negotiating?
Recommended reading:
