Compare Erie Car Insurance Prices With These Methods

Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of car insurance options in Erie? Many other drivers are as well. Consumers have so many options that it can turn into a ton of work to compare prices.

It's important to compare prices at least once a year because rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the lowest rates a year ago you may be paying too much now. So block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you're going to learn the tricks you need to know to find lower rates on car insurance.

If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can use these techniques to find better prices and still get good coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Erie is not that difficult. Colorado vehicle owners just need to know the tricks to compare rates online.

How to Compare Erie Car Insurance Costs

Getting better car insurance pricing doesn't have to be difficult. Consumers just need to spend a little time comparing rate quotes from different insurance companies. This is very easy and 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 click here to open form in new window. This type of form eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for every car insurance company. Completing one form will return quotes from multiple companies. This is perfect if you don't have a lot of time.

Another way to shop for car insurance online is to take the time to go to each company website and fill out their own quote form. For instance, we'll assume you want to compare rates from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Erie, click here.

The most time-consuming method to compare rates is to drive around to different agent offices. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the personal advice of a local agent. It is possible to compare the best prices online but buy from a local insurance agent and we'll talk about that later.

However you get your quotes, compare the exact same coverages and limits for every quote you compare. If you are comparing different deductibles it will be impossible to determine the best price in Erie.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

It's important that you understand the factors that go into determining your car insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that can help you get lower car insurance prices.

How's your driving record? - Your driving record impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Careful drivers receive lower rates than bad drivers. Even a single ticket can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to continue driving.
Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are many extra coverages you can purchase on your policy. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and term life insurance are some examples. They may seem like a good idea at first, but if they're wasting money get rid of them and save.
Adjust deductibles and save - Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, or theft. The deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your car insurance will be.
Are you male or female? - Statistics demonstrate that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn't necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. Women and men have accidents in similar percentages, but men cause more damage. Men also get more serious tickets such as reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
Older drivers save more - Older insureds tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers. Young drivers are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
Don't sacrifice liability coverage - Liability insurance provides coverage in the event that you are found to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
An active claims history can cost you - If you tend to file frequent claims, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in Colorado generally give better rates to people who are claim-free. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Car insurance can cost a lot, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit. If they aren't giving you every credit possible, you're just leaving money on the table.

Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of more than 20%.
Defensive Driver - Completing a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
Discount for Good Grades - Getting good grades can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner can save you money because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
No Charge for an Accident - A few companies permit an accident without raising rates if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
New Car Discount - Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
Club Memberships - Belonging to certain professional organizations may earn a discount on your policy.
Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
Life Insurance Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
Multi-policy Discount - When you have multiple policies with one company you may save up to 20% off your total premium.

Drivers should understand that some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

For a list of providers offering car insurance discounts in Erie, click here.

Much more information about car insurance in Colorado can be found on the Colorado DORA Division of Insurance website through this link. Consumers can file complaints about a company, discover disciplinary actions, and report car insurance fraud.

In the end, you save

We just showed you a lot of techniques to lower your car insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers may even find the biggest savings come from an unexpected company.

Budget-conscious car insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Erie agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies may not provide online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

While you're price shopping online, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.