Getting Cheap Agoura Hills Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, you're not the only one.

You have so many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to price shop coverage every six months because prices are constantly changing. If you had the lowest rates a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting right now, block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to lower your annual insurance bill.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" that factor into your rates.

Consolidate policies to earn discounts - The majority of insurers give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Consumers may find a better deal by splitting coverages up.
Do you have enough liability coverage? - The liability section of your policy provides coverage in the event that you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in California award lower rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Auto insurance is intended for the large, substantial claims.
Where do you drive? - The more you drive in a year the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
Pay less if you're married - Having a spouse actually saves money on your policy. Marriage usually means you are more mature and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart car theft.

How to Compare Auto Insurance in Agoura Hills, California

There are several ways to compare auto insurance prices and some are less time-consuming than others. You can spend your afternoon talking to agents in Agoura Hills, or you could use online quotes to get prices fast.

Most of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to send in one quote, and every company can give them a price based on that data. This saves time by eliminating form submissions for each company you want a rate for.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The only drawback to using this type of form is that you can't choose which providers you want to price. If you prefer to choose specific providers for rate comparison, we have assembled a list of companies who write auto insurance in California. View list of California insurance companies.

It's up to you which method you use, but ensure you are comparing identical coverages for every company. If you have different limits and deductibles on each one then you won't be able to decipher which rate is best in Agoura Hills. Quoting even small variations in limits may result in large price differences. Just remember that comparing more company's prices helps you find lower pricing.

How much can you save with discounts?

Car insurance is not cheap, buy you may qualify for discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Most are applied at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied in order for you to get them.

Anti-theft Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Organization Discounts - Being a member of a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy.
Federal Government Employee - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
Life Insurance - Some companies give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner can help you save on auto insurance because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose providers with the best auto insurance discounts in California, click here to view.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you move your policy. How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk might be over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't meet these standards will be charged more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

That is why you need to get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

More information can be found on the website for the California Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, download brochures, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this Agoura Hills agent directory.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

When shopping online for auto insurance, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Affordable auto insurance is definitely available both online in addition to many Agoura Hills insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.