How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Columbus

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, there are many people just like you. You have so many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to shop coverage around every six months because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best deal six months ago you can probably find a better price now. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the only way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Tips to Get Lower Columbus Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

  • Being married can save on auto insurance - Being married actually saves money on your auto insurance policy. It translates into being more mature and it's proven that being married results in fewer claims.
  • Liability insurance protects assets - The liability section of your policy provides coverage if ever you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
  • With age comes lower rates - Youthful drivers in Georgia tend to be more careless when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.
  • Add-on coverages can add up - There are a lot of extra coverages that you can buy when buying auto insurance. Coverages for personal injury protection, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
  • Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? - The majority of auto insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you still need to comparison shop to verify if the discount is saving money. Consumers may find a better deal by splitting coverages up.

More discounts equal less premium

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically before you get the savings. If you're not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Sign Online - Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
  • Organization Discounts - Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings on auto insurance.
  • Pay Upfront and Save - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
  • College Student - Any of your kids who live away from home without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
  • Defensive Driving Course - Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.

It's important to note that many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most cut individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like it's possible to get free car insurance, you're out of luck. But any discount will bring down your premiums.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Georgia, click this link.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Consumers in Georgia can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to make the same claim that you can save if you move your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money?

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured might be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no driving citations, and has a high credit rating. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Drivers who do not match these standards will have to pay a higher premium which leads to the customer not buying. The ads say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much money. That's the way insurance companies can state the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

More information is available on the website for the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner located here. Visitors are able to get help finding coverage, find out which companies have the most complaints, view a list of available companies, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

A tidy conclusion

Lower-priced auto insurance is possible both online as well as from independent agents in Columbus, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford.