Did you come to the realization that you have an expensive car insurance policy? You’re preaching to the choir because there are lots of people in the same boat. There is such a variety of insurance companies to buy insurance from, and although it’s nice to be able to choose, so many choices can make it hard to find the lowest rates.
Choosing the best insurance company for you is not rocket science. If you have a current car insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can use these tips to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Drivers just need to learn how to shop online.
Reducing your insurance rates is a fairly straight forward process. Consumers just need to take a couple of minutes comparing rates from online providers. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.
- The easiest and least time consuming way consumers can make multiple comparisons is a comparison rater form click to view form in new window. This type of form eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for every prospective company. One simple form gets you coverage quotes from many national carriers.
- A less efficient way to find more affordable insurance consists of going to the website for each individual company to complete a price quote. For instance, let’s assume you want rates from Liberty Mutual, State Farm and Progressive. To get rate quotes you would need to spend time going to each site individually to enter the same coverage data repeatedly, which explains why we recommend starting with the first method.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
- The least efficient way of comparing rate quotes is to spend your day driving to different agent offices. Comparing rates online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you’re the type of person who wants the professional advice of a local agency. You can, however, price shop your coverage online but have your policy serviced through an agent.
However you get your quotes, be sure you’re using the exact same coverage data for each comparison quote. If you are comparing unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s not possible to decipher which rate is best.
Get cheaper in your statecar insurance with discounts
Some insurance providers don’t necessarily list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the more common and also the lesser-known credits available to lower your premiums when you . If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.
- Driver Safety – Taking time to complete a defensive driver class can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Student Discount for Driver Training – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers enroll in driver’s education in school.
- Discounts for Good Drivers – Safe drivers can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates on Solara insurance than their less cautious counterparts.
- Home Ownership Discount – Owning your own home or condo can help you save on car insurance since owning and maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
- Club Memberships – Being a member of a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates on car insurance.
- Discounts for Government Workers – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can save as much as 8% on Solara insurance with a few car insurance companies.
- Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) on medical payment and PIP coverage.
- Early Switch Discount – Some companies provide a discount for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. You can save around 10% with this discount.
- Include Life Insurance and Save – Larger insurance carriers have a discount if you purchase some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
Larger car insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts are outlined below.
- The Hartford has savings for vehicle fuel type, bundle, defensive driver, good student, air bag, anti-theft, and driver training.
- American Family may include discounts for Steer into Savings, good driver, defensive driver, air bags, early bird, and mySafetyValet.
- Progressive has discounts for multi-vehicle, online quote discount, good student, continuous coverage, and online signing.
- Travelers includes discounts for multi-policy, IntelliDrive, student away at school, new car, multi-car, and save driver.
- Farmers Insurance may offer discounts for early shopping, business and professional, pay in full, multi-car, and electronic funds transfer.
- USAA offers discounts for family discount, driver training, military installation, annual mileage, and multi-vehicle.
- Liberty Mutual offers premium reductions for exclusive group savings, new move discount, new graduate, good student, teen driver discount, safety features, and hybrid vehicle.
When comparing rates, check with all the companies to give you their best rates. All car insurance discounts may not apply in your area.
