Tightwads Guide for Saving on Auburndale Auto Insurance

Tired of being strong-armed each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as millions of other consumers.

Online insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with TV and radio ads and it can be hard to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

It's important to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the best deal 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 proper way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

Be sure to get all your discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but some must be specifically requested before they will apply.

  • Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive reduced rates.
  • Accident Free - Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings on auto insurance.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
  • Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Auburndale may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house requires personal responsibility.
  • Good Students Pay Less - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will reduce the amount you have to pay.

Auburndale auto insurance comparison

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with big savings.

Shown below are some of the factors companies use to determine rates.

  • Males pay more for insurance - The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn't mean women are better drivers. They both have accidents at about the same rate, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
  • Do you work long hours in a high stress job? - Jobs such as doctors, executives and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates in part from high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Other occupations like farmers, historians and retirees have the lowest average rates.
  • Liability coverage protects you - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. It provides legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Car features impact rates - Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Bump up deductibles to save - Insurance for physical damage to your car, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, vandalism, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. The more money you're willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Careful drivers pay lower rates - Your driving citation history has a huge affect on how much you pay. Just one speeding ticket can increase rates forty percent or more. Good drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have dangerous citations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • Discounts for married couples - Being married helps lower the price on your auto insurance policy. It is viewed as being more responsible it has been statistically shown that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Safer cars are cheaper to insure - Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.

Is there truth in advertising?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you change to them. How can each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All the different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that earns them a profit. An example of a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don't measure up to the requirements will have to pay higher rates which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's why companies can truthfully make those claims.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It's impossible to know the company that will have the lowest rates.

Learn more today

Additional information is available on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Click here for link. Massachusetts consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read industry bulletins, find out which companies have the most complaints, and view a list of available companies.

Final considerations

While you're price shopping online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to find out they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price.

Cheap auto insurance can be sourced online and with local Auburndale insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.