Tightwads Tips for Saving on Lancaster Car Insurance

Nobody I know likes having to buy car insurance, especially when their premiums are too high.

There are many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to have a choice, it makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to check car insurance prices occasionally because rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price last year you may be paying too much now. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because we're going to demonstrate the quickest way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.

This information will introduce you to the best way to quote coverages and some tips to save money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. But Pennsylvania car owners do need to know the methods companies use to sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Finding Car Insurance Deals in Lancaster, PA

There are several ways to compare quotes from different Lancaster insurance companies. The recommended way to find competitive insurance rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.

The first (and easiest) way to get quotes is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do separate forms for each company you want a rate for. A single form gets you price quotes from several companies.

Another way to get quotes online requires a trip to the website for each individual company to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let's say you want to compare , and . To get each rate you have to visit each site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is more popular. To view a list of companies in Lancaster, click here.

However you get your quotes, make absolute certain that you use identical quote information on every quote you get. If you have mixed coverages it's not possible to determine which rate is truly the best in Lancaster. Slightly different insurance coverages can make a big difference in price. And when quoting car insurance, remember that quoting more helps you find a better price.

What determines how much you pay?

It's important that you understand the factors that play a part in calculating your car insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

Your location affects your rates - Living in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. Urban drivers have to deal with much more traffic and longer commute times. Less people living in that area means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
Bundling policies can get discounts - Some insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Lower deductibles cost more - Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more you're willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Performance makes a difference - The type of car you own makes a big difference in the rate you pay. The lowest rates tend to be for economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.

Save big with these discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. Most are applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked for before you get the savings.

Bundle and Save - When you have multiple policies with the same company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Discount for Swiching Early - Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them before your current policy expires. The savings is around 10%.
Drivers Education - Require your teen driver to complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
Safety Course Discount - Successfully completing a driver safety course can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Good Student - Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
55 and Retired - Older drivers may receive reduced rates.
Federal Employees - Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
Club Memberships - Belonging to a qualifying organization may earn a discount on car insurance.

Drivers should understand that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your overall premium however.

For a list of companies with discount car insurance rates in Pennsylvania, click here.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a best way to insure your cars. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions might point out if your situation could use an agent's help.

What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
What are the best liability limits?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?

If you can't answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. If you don't have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Much more information about car insurance in Pennsylvania is located on the website for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department located here. Consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, and learn about specific coverages.

Other useful links include Wikipedia and this Lancaster agent directory.

Affordable insurance is out there

As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don't reduce needed coverages to save money. In many instances, an insured cut liability coverage limits only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford.

Budget-conscious car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and with local Lancaster insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer online quoting and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

We just showed you a lot of techniques to lower your car insurance rates. It's most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even find the lowest premiums are with the least-expected company. Smaller companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates than their larger competitors like .