Best 8 Ways You Can Buy Car Insurance for Less in Fort Collins

No one likes having to buy car insurance, especially when they are paying too much.

You have multiple to pick from, and although it's nice to have a selection, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to do rate comparisons occasionally since rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price on your last policy the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Don't believe everything you read about car insurance online, so we're going to give you some great ways to save money.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance companies don't always advertise every available discount very clearly, so we researched some of the more common and the more hidden car insurance savings.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Theft Prevention Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a set time period.
Multi-policy Discount - When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
E-sign - A few companies will give a small break for buying your policy over the internet.
Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles on the same car insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, car insurance companies aren't that generous.

To see a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in Colorado, follow this link.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Fort Collins, CO

Most companies like Allstate and Progressive provide pricing on their websites. Getting quotes is pretty easy as you simply enter your coverage preferences into the quote form. Once you submit the form, their rating system will obtain reports for credit and driving violations and returns a price quote based on many factors. This makes comparing rates easy, but the time required to go to many different websites and enter the same data into a form is repetitive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, it is important to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find a lower rate.

The preferred way to get multiple rate quotes is to use a quote form to return rates from a bunch of companies at once. It's a real time-saver, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes quoting online much more enjoyable. After sending your information, it gets priced and you can select any one of the price quotes you receive. If the quotes result in lower rates, you can simply submit the application and purchase coverage. The whole process can be completed in a matter of minutes and you'll know if lower rates are available.

To find out how much you're overpaying now, click here and input your coverage information. If you have coverage now, it's recommended you type in the limits and deductibles identical to your current policy. This makes sure you will receive rate quotes based on the exact same insurance coverage.

It's not one size fits all

When choosing the best car insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a "perfect" insurance plan. Everyone's needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if you might need an agent's assistance.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. All the ads say the same thing about savings after switching to them. How does each company make the same claim?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that is profitable for them. For instance, a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and has great credit. Any new insured who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when switching.

Drivers who do not match these standards will be charged higher premiums which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. That is why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. It's just too difficult to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Final considerations

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, an insured cut collision coverage and learned later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and with local Fort Collins insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

You just learned a lot of tips how to compare car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more quotes you get, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Drivers may discover the lowest rates come from an unexpected company. These smaller insurers may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as .

For more Colorado car insurance information

Even more information is located at the Colorado DORA Division of Insurance website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, get help finding coverage, and view agent and company licensing information.

Additional helpful sites include BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this directory of Fort Collins insurance agents.