I can’t think of anyone who likes having to buy car insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much. You have so many auto insurance companies to choose from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to find the best rates.
It’s a great practice to shop coverage around before your policy renews due to the fact that insurance rates go up and down regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates on LHS coverage a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding car insurance on the internet, so we’re going to give you some solid techniques on how to find affordable car insurance.
Discounts are available to cut your rates
Auto insurance companies do not advertise all available discounts very well, so we took the time to find some of the more common and the harder-to-find ways to save on car insurance. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.
- One Accident Forgiven – Some insurance companies allow you one accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
- Service Members Pay Less – Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates on LHS coverage than drivers with accident claims.
- Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance from them.
- E-sign – A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
- Club Memberships – Being a member of a professional or civic organization may earn a discount when shopping for car insurance on LHS coverage.
- Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Drivers Ed for Students – Have your child successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
- Distant Student – Youth drivers living away from home attending college and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.
To see a list of insurers offering car insurance discounts, click here.
Automobile Insurance Quotes
There are a variety of methods to shop for car insurance, and some are less labor-intensive and much quicker. You could waste a few hours driving to local insurance agents in your area, or you could use the web to get prices fast.
Many companies enroll in a system where prospective buyers only type in their quote data once, and every company returns a rated price for coverage. This saves time by eliminating quote requests for each company you want a rate for.
To find out how much you can save on car insurance click here (opens in new window).
The one disadvantage to comparing rates this way is that you can’t choose the companies to get pricing from. So if you prefer to pick from a list of companies to compare prices, we put together a list of companies who write car insurance in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just be sure to compare apples-to-apples coverage information for each comparison quote. If the quotes have unequal deductibles or liability limits then you won’t be able to make an equal comparison.
Why your Chrysler LHS might be costing you more
It’s important that you understand the factors that help determine car insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.
The following are a few of the “ingredients” companies use to determine your rates.
- Optional equipment can affect rates – Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder car theft.
- Performance influences rates – The make and model of the car you drive makes a substantial difference in your rates. The most favorable rates are usually for small economy passenger vehicles, but there are many factors that impact the final cost. Since the Chrysler LHS is a passenger car, insuring your vehicle will cost similar in price or lower as compared to the average rate.
- Marriage brings a discount – Being married can actually save you money on your policy. It translates into being more mature and responsible and it’s proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
- Lower miles equals lower premium – Driving more miles in a year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Having the wrong rating on your LHS can result in significantly higher rates. Ask your agent if your car insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage.
- More people means more accidents – Being located in less populated areas has it’s advantages when talking about car insurance. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident. Drivers who live in large cities have congested traffic and much longer commute distances. More time commuting can result in more accidents.
There’s no such thing as the perfect policy
When buying proper insurance coverage, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions might point out if you may require specific advice.
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- Do no-fault laws apply in my state?
- Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
- Do I need motorclub coverage?
- Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Shop online but buy locally
Some people prefer to sit down with an agent and that is a personal choice. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain lower rates and still choose a local agent.
After completing this simple form, your insurance coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to drive around because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. Now that’s easy!
Choosing an insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- How long has their agency been open?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in your state?
Types of insurance agents
When looking for a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple different types of agents from which to choose. Insurance agencies are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning the differences since it may influence the type of agent you choose
Captive Agents
Captive insurance agents can only place business with one company like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. They receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection.
For a complete listing of car insurance agents, click here.
Upon receiving satisfactory answers to your questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.
Don’t listen to company ads
Drivers constantly see and hear ads for cheaper car insurance by Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies make the same claim about savings if you move to their company.
How do they all say the same thing? This is how they do it.
All companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, insures multiple vehicles, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.
Potential insureds who do not match these standards will be charged a more expensive rate and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s why companies can truthfully make those claims. That is why drivers must compare many company’s rates. It’s impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, drivers have reduced full coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
You just learned a lot of ways to shop for Chrysler LHS insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the best prices are with an unexpected company. These companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
