Easy Tips to Cut Costs on Marysville Auto Insurance

If you've never shopped for auto insurance online, you may be overwhelmed because of the huge number of auto insurance companies all offering big savings in Marysville.

It's important to get comparison quotes periodically because insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest rates last year a different company probably has better rates today. Starting right now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the tricks you need to know to save on auto insurance.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding the lowest cost protection in Marysville is not that difficult. Michigan vehicle owners just need to know the best way to get comparison quotes over the internet.

Take advantage of discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for before you will receive the discount. If they aren't giving you every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

Accident Forgiveness - A few companies permit an accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
Good Student - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.
Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Air Bag Discount - Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of more than 20%.
No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially as compared to drivers who are more careless.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will cut your overall premium however.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.

Do men or women drive better? - Statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. They both tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the males have costlier accidents. They also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
Traffic violations increase rates - Just one moving violation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who have flagrant citations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
More miles equals more premium - Driving more miles each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage.
Liability coverage is peace of mind - Liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there is no one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Should I buy only the required Michigan minimum liability coverage?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?
Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Michigan consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to say the same thing that you'll save big after switching your policy.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A driver who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will have to pay more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That is how companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional Michigan consumer information

Much more information about auto insurance in Michigan can be found on the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website through this link. Michigan consumers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Best coverage at the best price

Discount auto insurance can be purchased online in addition to many Marysville insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

In this article, we presented a lot of tips how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising.

As you prepare to switch companies, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate.