Did you make the mistake of buying overpriced auto insurance? Say no more because there are a lot of people in Austin just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy. Drivers have many car insurance companies to buy insurance from, and although it’s a good thing to have multiple companies, more choices can make it harder to get the best deal.
Pay discount rates these money-saving discounts
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you may find discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. A few discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but some need to be asked for prior to getting the savings. If you do not check that you are getting every discount possible, you could be saving more on your auto insurance.
- Good Driver Discount – Insureds who avoid accidents can pay as much as 50% less for Rav4 coverage compared to accident prone drivers.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than spreading payments over time you can avoid monthly service charges.
- Accident Free – Insureds who avoid accidents and claims can earn big discounts as compared to bad drivers.
- First Accident Forgiveness – Not a discount per se, but companies like Liberty Mutual and GEICO permit an accident before they charge you more for coverage so long as you are claim-free for a set time period.
- Smart Student Discounts – Being a good student may save you up to 25%. Many companies even apply the discount to college students well after school through age 25.
- Active Service Discounts – Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower auto insurance rates.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you aren’t that lucky.
To choose auto insurance companies who offer free auto insurance quotes in Texas, click here to view.
How to Lower Your Insurance Prices
When buying auto insurance it’s important to understand some of the factors that aid in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. If you have some idea of what determines base rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower premium levels. Many different elements are part of the equation when pricing auto insurance. Some are obvious such as your driving history, but other factors are more obscure like where you live or your commute time.
The list below includes some of the factors used by companies to determine premiums.
- Vehicle features can affect rates – Choosing to buy a car with advanced anti-theft systems can save you some money. Advanced theft deterrents like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems help track and prevent car theft.
- Having a spouse is a good thing – Walking down the aisle can actually save you money when shopping for auto insurance. It is viewed as being more responsible it has been statistically shown that married drivers tend to have fewer serious accidents.
- Insure car and home with the same company – Most larger insurers apply better rates for people who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it’s always a smart idea to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still save even more by splitting coverages up.
- No claims equals better auto insurance rates – Insurance companies in Texas generally give most affordable rates to drivers who only file infrequent claims. If you file claims often, you can pretty much guarantee either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
- Do you really need roadside assistance? – There are a ton of extra add-on coverages that may not really be needed if you don’t pay attention. Things like coverage for rental cars, better glass coverage, and extra equipment coverage may not be needed and are just wasting money. They may seem like a good idea when deciding what coverages you need, but if you have no use for them remove them and pocket the money.
- High coverage deductibles cost less – Comprehensive and collision coverage deductibles tell how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be rearending another vehicle, damage caused by hail, or theft of your vehicle. The more of the claim you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive for Rav4 coverage.
- Is you employer costing you more? – Do you have a high-stress occupation? Jobs such as judgesairline pilots and financial analysts are shown to have higher premiums than the average policyholder attributed to job stress and extremely grueling work hours. Other occupations like actors, engineers and retirees receive lower rates for Rav4 coverage.
- Women tend to be lower risk – Statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Females and males cause auto accidents in similar percentages, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. In addition to higher claims, males also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
It’s not one size fits all
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your insurance needs might need an agent’s assistance.
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
- When should I drop full coverage on my Toyota Rav4?
- Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Texas?
- Who is covered when they drive my Toyota Rav4?
- Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
- If my Toyota Rav4 is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.
Comparing quotes from local Austin insurance agents
Some people still prefer to sit down and talk to an agent and that can be a smart move A nice benefit of comparing rate quotes online is you may find lower prices and still have a local agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is instantly submitted to companies in Austin that provide for your business. There is no reason to contact any insurance agencies because prices are sent immediately to you. You can find the lowest rates AND an agent nearby. If for some reason you want to get a comparison quote from a specific insurance company, don’t hesitate to navigate to their website and submit a quote form there.
Finding a good insurer should include more criteria than just the price. Get answers to these questions too.
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Do you qualify for any additional discounts?
- Can they help ensure a fair claim settlement?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies in Austin?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
When researching a reliable insurance agency, there are two different types of agencies and how they operate. Insurance agencies in Austin are classified as either independent or captive depending on the company they work for.
Captive Insurance Agencies
Agents of this type can only quote rates from one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance, State Farm, or Allstate. These agents are not able to place coverage with different providers so you might not find the best rates. They receive extensive training on their company’s products and that allows them to sell at a higher price point.
Independent Auto Insurance Agents
Independent insurance agents are not restriced to one company and that is an advantage because they can write policies through many companies and help determine which has the cheapest rates. If your premiums go up, your policy is moved internally and the insured can keep the same agent. When comparing auto insurance rates, you need to contact several independent agencies in order to compare the most rates.
More tips and info about auto insurance is located at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can read consumer alerts, find a variety of consumer forms, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
The articles below may also help you learn more about auto insurance in Austin
And the best auto insurance company is…
We covered some good ideas how you can shop for Toyota Rav4 insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more companies you get rates for, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the most savings is with the smaller companies. Regional companies often have lower rates on specific markets than their larger competitors like Allstate and Progressive.
When you , do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to regret they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford and still be able to protect your assets.