Searching for affordable Wichita Falls auto insurance on the internet can be somewhat difficult for people who are new to buying insurance on the web. When there are so many insurers available, how can you even start to compare every one to find the best price?
Consumers should take time to compare prices at least once a year due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the best price a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you’re about to find out one of the quickest ways to reduce your cost while improving coverage.
Compare Quotes for Wichita Falls Auto Insurance
Finding a better price on auto insurance is actually quite simple. You just have to take time comparing rate quotes online with multiple companies. This can be done in several different ways.
The best way to find low rates is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This method prevents you from having to do separate forms for every auto insurance company. Completing one form will get you price quotes . This is by far the quickest method.
A less efficient way to get comparison quotes requires a visit to each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let’s say you want to compare Progressive, Liberty Mutual and American Family. To get rate quotes you would need to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker.
For a handy list of car insurance company links in Wichita Falls, click here.
It’s up to you which method you use, but ensure you’re using the exact same coverages and limits on every quote you get. If you have mixed coverages you can’t possibly determine which rate is truly the best in Wichita Falls.
Factors that affect insurance rates
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that help determine auto insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that could result in lower auto insurance prices.
The following are a partial list of the pieces that factor into premiums.
- Pleasure use saves money – The more you drive every year the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies apply a rate based on their usage. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Double check that your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
- Tickets mean higher rates – A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Only having one moving violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. If you have flagrant violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
- Discounts for married couples – Having a wife or husband actually saves money on your auto insurance policy. It means you’re more responsible and statistics show drivers who are married are more cautious.
- Special features that cut premiums – Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
- Do you have a high stress job? – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like judges, business owners and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates attributed to job stress and long work hours. Other professions such as actors, historians and homemakers pay the least.
- Policy add-ons can waste money – There are many extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your policy. Insurance for personal injury protection, towing coverage and membership fees are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
- Where you live – Residing in less populated areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Lower population translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. City drivers regularly have much more traffic to deal with and longer commutes to work. Higher commute times means more change of being in an accident.
- Never go without insurance – Driving without insurance is illegal and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage lapse. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.Then you may be required to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Texas motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Car insurance companies don’t always list all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the more common and also the lesser-known auto insurance savings. If they aren’t giving you every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Low Mileage – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
- Seat Belts Save – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
- Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Wichita Falls may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because owning a home shows financial diligence.
- Distant Student – Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
- Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Wichita Falls, follow this link.
Car insurance is unique, just like you
When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
- Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
- If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
- Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
- What is high-risk coverage and where do I buy it?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Smart shoppers get results
In this article, we presented many tips how you can get a better price on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the lowest premiums are with a lesser-known regional company.
When buying insurance coverage, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn’t have enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
People leave their current company for a variety of reasons including policy non-renewal, lack of trust in their agent, poor customer service and even questionable increases in premium. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company is easier than you think.
Find out more about auto insurance
More detailed Texas auto insurance information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, find out industry alerts, read state legal mandates and laws, and view a list of available companies.