Top Ways to Save on Iowa Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you many consumers are feeling buyer's remorse and feel like there's no way out. Consumers have many to pick from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates at least once a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best deal a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the proper way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

The list below includes some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

Sex matters - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don't assume that men are worse drivers. They both have accidents at about the same rate, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
Choose a safe vehicle and save - Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Car features impact rates - Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
More miles equals more premium - The more you drive in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because it can save money.
Don't buy coverages you don't need - There are a lot of extra coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and term life insurance may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment at first, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
Where you live can impact rates - Choosing to live in less populated areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Drivers in populated areas regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - The majority of auto insurance companies will give a discount to customers who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. Consumers may find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.

How much can you save with discounts?

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but some must be manually applied before they will apply. If you're not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for better auto insurance rates.
Drive Less and Save - Keeping the miles down can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Pay Upfront and Save - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Defensive Driving Course - Taking part in a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may save approximately 10% to 15%.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

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

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Louisiana consumers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings by Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you move to their company.

How does each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Consumers who don't meet these standards will have to pay higher rates which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's the way companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Find out more about auto insurance

Additional information is available on the website for the Louisiana Department of Insurance through this link. Louisiana consumers can learn about insurance regulations, find disaster information, view a list of available companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Iowa.

Best coverage at the best price

When shopping online for auto insurance, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate.

Cheaper auto insurance is possible online and also from your neighborhood Iowa agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.