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

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say there are a lot of people in Hartford just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy.

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 every six months because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best rates six months ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance online but we're going to give you some great ways to reduce your auto insurance bill.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

The list below includes some of the items companies use to determine your rates.

Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? - The majority of insurance companies give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it's in your best interest to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal. Consumers may find a better deal by splitting coverages up.
Do you have enough liability coverage? - The liability section of your policy provides coverage in the event that you are found liable for damages from an accident. It provides you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
Small claims can cost you - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Insurance companies in Vermont generally give lower rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. Car insurance is intended for the large, substantial claims.
Drive less and save money - The more you drive in a year the higher your rates will be. Most companies charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Cars that are left in the garage get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
Men fork out a little more - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don't assume that women are better drivers. Men and women have accidents at a similar rate, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving.
Better credit means lower rates - Your credit rating is a huge factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with lower credit ratings. If your credit score can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit.

Compare Quotes for Hartford Auto Insurance

There are several ways to compare auto insurance prices but there is one way that is less time-consuming than others. You can spend your afternoon talking about coverages with insurance agencies in Hartford, or you can stay home and use the internet to get prices fast.

Most of the larger companies participate in an industry program that allows shoppers to send in one quote, and every company can give them a price for coverage. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The one disadvantage to using this type of form is you are unable to specify which providers you want to price. If you prefer to choose individual companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Vermont. View list of Vermont insurance companies.

However you get your quotes, ensure you are comparing identical coverages for every company. If you use different limits and deductibles on each one you will not be able to decipher which rate is best in Hartford. Slightly different limits can make a big difference in price. Just remember that quoting more helps you find lower pricing.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies don't always publicize every available discount very clearly, so the following is a list of both the well known and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.

Anti-theft System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Organization Discounts - Being a member of a qualifying organization may earn a discount on your policy.
Federal Government Employee - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.
Life Insurance Discount - Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
No Charge for an Accident - Certain companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn't work that way.

To choose providers with the best auto insurance discounts in Vermont, click here.

Is there truth in advertising?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the ads have a common claim that you can save if you move to them. How does each company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that makes them money. A good example of a preferred risk might be a mature driver, has no driving citations, and has a high credit rating. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to these standards will be charged more money and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads state "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's the way insurance companies can state the savings. That is why you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Additional detailed information can be read at the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, download brochures, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this Hartford agent directory.

Affordable insurance is out there

As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone sacrificed collision coverage and discovered at claim time that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

Affordable auto insurance is definitely available both online and with local Hartford insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.