Being forced to pay for expensive auto insurance premiums can dry up your savings and force you to tighten up your finances. Price shopping at each renewal can be a smart way to lower your monthly bill.
Consumers have multiple car insurance companies to choose from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, it can be more challenging to locate the cheapest rates.
This article will familiarize you with the best way to quote coverages. If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Texas drivers just need to know the best way to get comparison quotes over the internet.
Finding a better price on auto insurance can be surprisingly simple. Just take a couple of minutes getting comparison quotes online with multiple companies. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.
- Without a doubt, the easiest way to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison click here to open form in new window. This form prevents you from having to do separate quotes for every auto insurance company. A single form will return quotes direct from many companies.
- A different way to find better pricing requires visiting the website for each individual company and fill out their own quote form. For example, we’ll pretend you want to view quotes from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and American Family. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in San Antonio, click here.
You can choose any of those ways to find more affodable coverage, but try to keep equivalent coverages and limits with each company. If you are comparing higher or lower deductibles it will be nearly impossible to make a fair rate comparison in San Antonio.
Auto insurance buyers beware
Texas drivers can’t get away from ads that promise big savings by State Farm and Allstate. They all tend to make the same promise that you’ll save big just by switching your coverage.
That’s great but how can every company give you a better price? This is the trick they use.
All the different companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of driver that earns them a profit. One example of this type of risk profile could be over age 30, has never had a claim, and drives a safe vehicle. Any person that matches those criteria receives the best premium rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.
Potential customers who don’t meet this ideal profile may receive a higher rate which usually ends up with the prospect going elsewhere. If you listen closely, the ads state “people that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much when switching. This is how companies can make those claims.
Each company has different criteria, so you really should do a rate comparison at every renewal. You cannot predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest car insurance rates.
You Can Change Your Insurance Premiums
Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that go into determining the level of your policy premiums. When consumers understand what determines base rates, this enables you to make decisions that could help you find better auto insurance rates.
The following are a few of the “ingredients” used by your company to calculate rates.
- The type of car you drive affects your prices – The type of car you own makes a substantial difference in your premium level. The cheapest rates tend to be for small economy passenger vehicles, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors. Since the Dodge Durango is considered a standard SUV, rates will be slighty more as compared to the average rate in San Antonio.
- Teenagers are high risk – More mature drivers are proven to be safer behind the wheel, are lower risk to insure .Youthful drivers have a tendency to be easily distracted when at the wheel of a vehicle so auto insurance rates are higher.
- GPS tracking and theft deterrents reduce prices – Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Theft deterrent systems like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder auto theft.
- More people means more accidents – Choosing to live in less populated areas is a good thing when trying to find low car insurance rates. Fewer drivers on the road means reduced accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. People in densly populated areas regularly have more aggressive driving styles and a longer drive to work. Higher commute times means more chances of being involved in an auto accident.
- Guys are more aggressive – Statistics show that females tend to be a little less risky than males. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Females and males are responsible for accidents at a similar rate, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get cited for more serious violations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly.
- Buy as much liability as you can afford – Liability coverage is the protection if ever a jury decides you are liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Your liability coverage provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. It is affordable coverage compared to comp and collision, so insureds should have plenty of protection for their assets.
- File a claims and pay more – Insurance companies in Texas provide the lowest premiums to insureds who are claim-free. If you file a lot of claims you can pretty much guarantee much higher rates or policy non-renewal. Your insurance policy is intended for the large, substantial claims.
These discounts can slash auto insurance rates
Auto insurance is not inexpensive, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. Some discounts will apply at the time you complete a quote, but a few need to be inquired about before being credited.
- Policy Bundle Discount – If you can combine your auto and home policy with the same insurance company you could earn a discount of at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
- Discount for Good Grades – Being a good student may save you up to 25%. Most companies allow this discount until age 25.
- Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts as much as 30%.
- Paper-free Discount – Certain auto insurance companies will give a small break simply for signing over the internet.
- Discounts for New Vehicles – Buying a new car model can save up to 30% since newer vehicles are generally safer.
- Discounts for Good Drivers – Insureds without accidents can pay as much as 50% less on Durango insurance than their less cautious counterparts.
Don’t be surprised that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. Even though the math looks like you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky.
Popular auto insurance companies and their possible discounts are included below.
- American Family may offer discounts for good driver, air bags, Steer into Savings, good student, and accident-free.
- Nationwide offers discounts for defensive driving, accident-free, Farm Bureau membership, business or organization, and family plan.
- MetLife discounts include good student, multi-policy, accident-free, good driver, defensive driver, and claim-free.
- 21st Century has discounts for defensive driver, driver training, automatic seat belts, anti-lock brakes, and student driver.
- Farmers Insurance policyholders can earn discounts including electronic funds transfer, bundle discounts, multi-car, youthful driver, switch companies, mature driver, and business and professional.
- Allstate offers premium reductions for premier plus, FullPay discount, utility vehicle, resident student, and early signing.
When comparing rates, check with all the companies what discounts are available to you. A few discounts may not be available in your state. To find insurers that offer discounts in San Antonio, follow this link.
One last thing
When getting , it’s a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are a lot of situations where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford.
Some insurance providers may not offer rate quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies work with independent insurance agents. Discount Dodge Durango insurance can be purchased both online in addition to local insurance agencies, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money.
Read more about Texas auto insurance
Additional information can be read on the Texas Department of Insurance website found here. Texas drivers can find disaster information, learn about insurance regulations, and download brochures.
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