Easy Methods to Cut Costs on Milwaukie Auto Insurance

If you are a novice to online auto insurance shopping, it's easy to be confused by the sheer number of auto insurance companies all offering big savings in Milwaukie.

It's important to check auto insurance prices periodically because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best price last year a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate one of the easiest ways to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't necessarily list every available discount very clearly, so we took the time to find both well-publicized as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
Pay Upfront and Save - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
E-sign - A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks just for signing your application over the internet.
Homeowners Savings - Being a homeowner can save you money because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.

Keep in mind that some credits don't apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn't work that way.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine your rates.

Better credit means lower rates - Your credit rating is a important factor in determining your rates. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. If your credit history can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit.
Car features impact rates - Owning a car with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent auto theft.
What are your deductibles? - Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims could be a windshield shattered by a rock, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The higher the amount you're willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single moving violation can increase rates twenty percent or more. Good drivers have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to drive a vehicle legally.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you might need an agent's assistance.

Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Oregon?

If you can't answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form.

How can Allstate and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use ads on television and other media. All the ads have a common claim that you can save if you move to them. How does each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" will get very good rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for these standards will be charged higher rates and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. That is why drivers should compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional Oregon consumer information

Additional detailed information can be found at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Oregon consumers can find out industry alerts, view a list of available companies, and report car insurance fraud.

Final considerations

As you prepare to switch companies, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, someone dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

You just read a lot of ways to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from the least-expected company.

Drivers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as policy cancellation, poor customer service, unfair underwriting practices and even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.