5 Ways to Save on Car Insurance in Mitchell

Beginners to buying insurance online may find shopping for the cheapest Mitchell car insurance very challenging.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates periodically since rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal last year you will most likely find a better rate today. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we're going to show you the only way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list some of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Accident Forgiveness - A handful of insurance companies allow you one accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
  • Good Student - Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • 55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better car insurance rates.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free car insurance policy, it just doesn't work that way.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a "perfect" insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in South Dakota?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in South Dakota?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?

If you can't answer these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Car insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save after switching to their company. How can each company make the same claim? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a desirable insured could be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has great credit. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who do not match the requirements will have to pay higher prices and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's just too difficult to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional detailed information is available at the South Dakota Division of Insurance website. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, and view a list of available companies.

South Dakota car insurance

Do the work, save more money

Affordable car insurance can be bought from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Mitchell agents, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

You just learned a lot of techniques to reduce car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. You may even discover the most savings is with a small mutual company.

As you prepare to switch companies, it's not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.