Top Ways to Save on Lewiston Car Insurance

Nobody I know likes having to buy car insurance, especially when the price is too high.

Consumers have many to pick from, and although it's nice to have a selection, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates occasionally because rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best deal a few years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you're going to learn the proper way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Buying affordable protection in Lewiston is simple if you know the tricks. Essentially everyone who is required by state law to have car insurance stands a good chance to be able to save money. But Idaho car owners do need to know the way insurance companies price insurance differently and take advantage of how the system works.

More discounts equal less premium

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time you complete a quote, but some must be manually applied prior to getting the savings.

Bundle and Save - When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
Anti-lock Brake Discount - Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
Good Student - A discount for being a good student can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
Sign Online - Some insurance companies will give a small break for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
55 and Retired - Mature drivers may be able to get better car insurance rates.
College Student - Children who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
Passive Restraint Discount - Factory air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Anti-theft System - Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will bring down your premiums.

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

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Lewiston, ID

Most companies like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive give prices directly from their websites. The process is quite easy as you just type in your coverage preferences into the quote form. Once you submit the form, their rating system will obtain your driving and credit reports and gives you a price quote based on many factors. This simplifies rate comparisons, but the process of having to visit a lot of sites and enter the same data into a form can be a bit repetitive. Unfortunately, it is important to compare as many rates as possible in order to get a lower rate.

The easy way to compare rates

The preferred way to get multiple rate quotes utilizes a single form that obtains quotes from several different companies. It's a real time-saver, eliminates repetitive work, and makes online quotes much easier to do. After sending the form, your coverage is rated and you can select any one of the price quotes you receive.

If a lower price is quoted, you can click and sign and purchase coverage. This process only takes a few minutes and may result in a nice savings.

If you want to find out how much you're overpaying now, click here and input your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it's recommended you duplicate deductibles and limits identical to your current policy. This makes sure you will have a fair comparison based on the exact same insurance coverage.

You have some control over your rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

Your location is important - Living in a small town can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. City drivers have much more traffic and longer commute times. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
How credit affects car insurance rates - Credit history is a important factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit rating is not that good, you could pay less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
How's your driving record? - Careful drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Just one ticket can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Drivers who have flagrant citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
Marriage brings a discount - Being married can get you a discount when buying car insurance. It means you're more mature than a single person and it's proven that married couples file fewer claims.

It's not one size fits all

When choosing proper 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 a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if you would benefit from professional advice.

What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
What are the best liability limits?
Should I buy only the required Idaho minimum liability coverage?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Idaho?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Car insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to say the same thing that you'll save big after switching to their company. How does each company make the same claim?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that is profitable for them. An example of a desirable insured could be a mature driver, owns a home, and has a short commute. A customer who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who do not match these standards will have to pay a more expensive rate which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how companies can make the claims of big savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers must compare as many rates as you can. Because you never know which company will fit your personal profile best.

Final considerations

As you shop your coverage around, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The ultimate goal is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford.

We just showed you a lot of information how to compare car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may discover the best price on car insurance is with the least-expected company. These smaller insurers may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as .

Discount car insurance can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Lewiston agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

Much more information about car insurance in Idaho is available on the website for the Idaho Department of Insurance located here. Consumers can view agent and company licensing information, find out industry alerts, file complaints about a company, and get help finding coverage.

Additional helpful sites include Wikipedia and this Lewiston agent directory.