Tightwads Guide to Saving on Baldwin Auto Insurance

Expensive auto insurance can empty your checking account and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparison shopping is a smart way to help make ends meet. Because there are so many different company options, it can be challenging to find the cheapest company.

It's important to compare prices quite often because prices are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best rates a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. There is a lot of wrong information about auto insurance on the web, but we're going to give you some great ways to reduce your auto insurance bill.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

The following are some of the items used by your company to calculate your rates.

Cautious drivers pay less - Drivers who don't get tickets have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Just one moving violation can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as DUI or reckless driving may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
Teen drivers pay high rates - Youthful drivers in Louisiana are known to be less responsible when driving so auto insurance rates are higher. If you've ever had to add a teenage driver onto a policy can break the bank. More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
Marriage brings a discount - Getting married can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Marriage translates into being more responsible and it's proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Many companies give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to comparison shop to verify if the discount is saving money.
Better crash test results mean better rates - Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. Safer cars protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance in Baldwin, Louisiana

Reducing your insurance rates isn't really that difficult. Consumers just need to take a few minutes comparing rates from different insurance companies. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

The fastest way to compare a lot of rates at once is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This method eliminates the need for separate quotes for every auto insurance company. One form will get you rate comparisons instantly.
A slightly less efficient method to shop for auto insurance online requires you to visit each company website and request a quote. For instance, we'll pretend you want comparison quotes from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Baldwin, click here.

Which method you use is up to you, but make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples coverage information with every price quote. If you are comparing unequal deductibles or liability limits it's not possible to find the best deal in Baldwin.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise every available discount very well, so the following is a list of both the well known as well as the least known auto insurance savings. If you don't get every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

Good Student Discount - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
Resident Student - Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
E-sign - Certain companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy online.
Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

To choose providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Louisiana, follow this link.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Consumers in Louisiana can't ignore all the ads for car insurance savings from the likes of State Farm and Allstate. All the ads say the same thing about savings after switching your coverage to them.

But how can every company claim to save you money?

All companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a preferred risk might be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don't qualify for this ideal profile will be charged a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. That is why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Insurance agents can help

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions may help you determine whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Louisiana?
Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Baldwin?
Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.

Even more information can be read at the Louisiana Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, get help finding coverage, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in Baldwin Louisiana.

Best coverage at the best price

We covered a lot of information how to compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from the least-expected company. These smaller insurers may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like .

When shopping online for auto insurance, don't be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap auto insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents in Baldwin, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.