Proven Ways to Save on Charlotte Auto Insurance

I can't think of a single person who cherishes buying auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much. Drivers have so many to buy insurance from, and although it's a good thing to have a choice, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare prices occasionally because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price a few years ago you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance on the internet, so we're going to give you some great ways to slash your auto insurance rates.

Finding affordable coverage in Charlotte is easy if you know what you're doing. If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using this information. North Carolina vehicle owners just need to know how to compare rates over the internet.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Charlotte, NC

Getting better auto insurance pricing isn't really that difficult. Consumers just need to take the time to compare quotes from different insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.

The first (and easiest) way to compare a lot of rates at once is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This method saves time by eliminating repetitive form entry for every auto insurance company. A single form gets you price quotes direct from many companies.

A more difficult way to shop for auto insurance online requires visiting each company website to complete a price quote. For instance, let's assume you want to compare , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method.

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

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use identical quote information for every company. If you are comparing mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to decipher which rate is best in Charlotte.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

It's important that you understand some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

The following are a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate your rates.

Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single citation can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who don't get tickets receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who get flagrant violations like DUI or reckless driving may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
Discounts for multiple policies - Many companies give discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, you may still want to shop around to verify if the discount is saving money.
Your spouse saves you money - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Marriage translates into being more mature than a single person and it's statistically proven that married couples file fewer claims.
Liability coverage is peace of mind - Liability coverage is the coverage that protects you in the event that a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It provides legal defense starting from day one. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies that sell car insurance don't list every available discount very clearly, so we researched both well-publicized and the more hidden auto insurance savings. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

Early Switch Discount - A few companies offer discounts for switching policies before your current policy expires. It's a savings of about 10%.
Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
E-sign - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Club Memberships - Participating in a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on your policy.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies permit an accident without raising rates if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you could save up to 5%.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies don't profit that way.

For a list of providers who offer auto insurance discounts in North Carolina, follow this link.

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions might point out whether your personal situation could use an agent's help.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?
What are the financial responsibility laws in North Carolina?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It's fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

More detailed North Carolina auto insurance information is located at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. North Carolina consumers can file complaints about a company, read consumer alerts, get help finding coverage, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

And the best car insurance company is...

You just read a lot of tips how to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest premiums are with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Smaller companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates compared to the large companies like .

As you shop your coverage around, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an insured cut collision coverage and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Discount auto insurance can be sourced online as well as from independent agents in Charlotte, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers don't offer online quoting and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.