Wish you could get out of an overpriced auto insurance policy? It’s a common feeling and there are many Houston consumers feeling the pinch from expensive auto insurance. Big companies like GEICO, Farmers Insurance and State Farm all claim big savings, bombarding you with TV and radio ads and consumers find it hard to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
Consumers should take time to compare premium rates quite often because insurance prices are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates for Golf coverage on your last policy other companies may now be cheaper. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we’re going to show you the things you must know in order to save on auto insurance.
Auto insurance discounts help lower rates
Auto insurance is not an enjoyable expense, but you may qualify for discounts to help offset the cost. Certain reductions will be credited when you complete an application, but occassionally some discounts must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.
- Resident Student – Youth drivers living away from home attending college and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles can qualify you for slightly better prices than normal.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you can bundle your auto and home insurance with the same company you will save up to 20% and get you .
- Memberships – Joining a professional or civic organization is a simple method to lower premiums on your policy.
- Discounts for New Vehicles – Buying insurance on a new vehicle can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
A few of the larger companies and their possible discounts are outlined below.
- State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including defensive driving training, Steer Clear safe driver discount, multiple policy, student away at school, and good driver.
- Progressive has savings for online signing, continuous coverage, multi-policy, homeowner, online quote discount, multi-vehicle, and good student.
- Progressive has discounts for continuous coverage, online signing, multi-policy, good student, homeowner, and multi-vehicle.
- MetLife may have discounts that include good driver, good student, claim-free, multi-policy, accident-free, and defensive driver.
- Farm Bureau may offer discounts for safe driver, good student, multi-policy, renewal discount, youthful driver, and 55 and retired.
- GEICO offers discounts including anti-lock brakes, federal employee, defensive driver, anti-theft, multi-policy, five-year accident-free, and membership and employees.
- SAFECO may include discounts for multi-car, accident prevention training, anti-lock brakes, safe driver, and bundle discounts.
It’s a good idea to ask all companies you are considering how you can save money. All car insurance discounts might not apply in Houston.
To find more affordable prices, there are a couple of ways to compare rate quotes from many auto insurance companies in Texas. One of the best ways to compare rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This can be accomplished in a couple minutes as outlined below.
- If you’re in a hurry, the quickest way to find the lowest comparison rates would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This method prevents you from having to do repetitive form entry for each company. Taking the time to complete one form gets prices estimates from multiple companies.
- A harder way to compare rate quotes requires a visit to each company website and fill out a new quote form. For example, let’s say you need rates from Farmers, 21st Century and Progressive. You would be required to go to each individual site to input your insurance information, and that explains why we recommend the first method.
For a list of links to insurance companies in Houston, click here.
- The least recommended way to shop rates is to spend your day driving to different agent offices. Doing it all online makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional assistance of a licensed agent. It is possible with some companies obtain prices from the web and still use a local agent.
However you get your quotes, make sure you are using the same coverage data for each comparison quote. If you use unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to decipher which rate is best in Houston. Just a small difference in insurance coverages or limits may result in a large different in cost. Just remember that more quotes helps improve the odds of finding more affordable insurance. Not every company provides online quotes, so you should also compare quotes from them, too.
Affordable auto insurance is out there
Affordable Volkswagen Golf insurance can be purchased from both online companies and from local agencies, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who don’t offer the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller providers work with local independent agencies.
When shopping online for auto insurance, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price and still be able to protect your assets.