Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Albemarle Auto Insurance

Tired of scraping the payment together each month for car insurance? You are no different than the majority of other car owners in North Carolina.

Lots of contend for your insurance dollar, so it's not easy to compare every and get the best coverage at the lowest price

It's important to get comparison quotes once or twice a year because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest rates a year ago a different company probably has better rates today. So forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to save on auto insurance.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance companies don't always advertise all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down both well-publicized as well as the least known auto insurance savings.

Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Albemarle may trigger a auto insurance policy discount due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Sign Online - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy on their website.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
Use Seat Belts - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like it's possible to get free car insurance, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Your spouse saves you money - Having a spouse can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. It usually means you are more responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Optional equipment can affect rates - Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder your car from being stolen.
Liability coverage protects you - Liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.
Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a guaranteed way to increase your auto insurance rates. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a steep fine or even jail time.
Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as lawyers, architects and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average because of high stress levels and lengthy work days. On the flip side, jobs such as farmers, athletes and performers pay the least.
Safer occupants lowers premiums - Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. These vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.
Pleasure use saves money - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles left parked in the garage qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to say the same thing about savings after switching your policy. How do they all make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no tickets, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile receives the best rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who do not match the "perfect" profile will have to pay higher prices which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That's why companies can truthfully make those claims. Because of the profiling, drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It's impossible to know the company that will have the lowest rates.

Even more information can be found at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. North Carolina consumers can get help finding coverage, view a list of available companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Shop smart and save

Cheap auto insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Albemarle insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

While you're price shopping online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.