How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Boswell

Scraping up a payment for overpriced auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your savings account and put a big crunch on your finances. Doing a price comparison is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to lower your monthly bill.

You have multiple to pick from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to do rate comparisons yearly because prices are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate one of the best ways to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

This information will teach you the best way to quote coverages. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. But Pennsylvania drivers do need to know the methods companies use to compete online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Boswell

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

With age comes lower rates - Teen drivers in Pennsylvania are known to be more careless when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Having to add a teen driver to your policy can be very expensive. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
Your location affects your rates - Residing in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer people means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
Where do you drive? - Driving more miles in a year's time the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Many insurers will give a discount to customers who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Keep rates low by being claim-free - Car insurance companies in Pennsylvania award lower rates to people who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Your insurance policy is designed for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.

Are you getting all your discounts?

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts to cut the cost considerably. Most are applied when you purchase, but less common discounts must be manually applied before being credited.

College Student - Kids in college who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Multiple Vehicles - Buying coverage for multiple vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if it's offered in school.
Driver Safety - Successfully completing a course in driver safety could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
Seat Belts Save - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Accident Free - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less as compared to accident-prone drivers.
Organization Discounts - Participating in a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on auto insurance.
Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with discounted rates on garaged vehicles.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Pennsylvania, click here to view.

How can Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm save drivers who switch?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads on television and other media. They all seem to make an identical promise that you'll save big after switching to them. How does each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured could possibly be over the age of 40, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for these standards will have to pay higher prices and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save money. This is how companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Tailor your coverage to you

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions can help discover whether you could use an agent's help.

Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Learn more about auto insurance in Pennsylvania

Much more information about auto insurance in Pennsylvania is located on the website for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department found here. Pennsylvania consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Boswell.

Affordable insurance is out there

When shopping online for auto insurance, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be bought online and with local Boswell insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.