How to Know You're Throwing Money Away for Auto Insurance in Bowling Green

Are you sick and tired of being strong-armed each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than millions of other consumers.

There are many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, it makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to check auto insurance prices once or twice a year since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best price a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate how to quote online to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Bowling Green is easy if you know what you're doing. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. But Ohio vehicle owners do need to know the way companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine rates.

Men are more aggressive - The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn't mean women are better drivers. Both sexes cause accidents in similar percentages, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also get more serious tickets like reckless driving and DUI.
Special features that cut premiums - Driving a car with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder auto theft.
Little extras can really add up - There are quite a few extra bells and whistles that you can buy if you aren't careful. Coverages for personal injury protection, towing coverage and motor club memberships are some examples. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if you don't need them eliminate them to save money.
Proper usage rating affects rates - The higher the mileage driven every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Cars used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle.
Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
Better credit means lower rates - Credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit is low, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit.
Keep rates low by being claim-free - Car insurance companies in Ohio generally give lower rates to people who file claims infrequently. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies offering auto insurance don't list all their discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you may receive reduced rates.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
Safety Course Discount - Successfully completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
New Vehicle Savings - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Military Rewards - Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Passive Restraint Discount - Factory air bags may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
Multiple Cars - Having all your vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Sign Online - A few companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles can earn a substantially lower rate.

Drivers should understand that some credits don't apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose companies with discount auto insurance rates in Ohio, click here.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm consistently run ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim that you'll save big if you change to them. How does each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has a short commute. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who do not match these standards will have to pay a higher premium and this can result in business not being written. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That's why companies can make the claims of big savings. Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

More Ohio auto insurance information

More detailed Ohio auto insurance information can be found at the Ohio Department of Insurance website. Ohio drivers can learn about insurance regulations, view a list of available companies, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

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

Affordable insurance is out there

As you shop your coverage around, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable on the web and with local Bowling Green insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.