Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Oil City Car Insurance

Are you tired of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? You are no different than most other car owners in Pennsylvania.

Lots of contend for your business, so it's not easy to compare every and uncover the absolute lowest price

Take advantage of discounts

Car insurance companies don't always advertise every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both the well known and the more hidden car insurance savings.

  • Student Driver Training - Have your child successfully complete driver's ed class if offered at their school.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
  • Memberships - Being a member of certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break when shopping for car insurance.
  • Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles on the same car insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • Distant Student - Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don't have a car may qualify for this discount.

It's important to note that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, you're out of luck.

To see a list of insurance companies with discount car insurance rates in Oil City, follow this link.

compare Oil City car insurance rates

How to Compare Car Insurance Costs in Oil City

There are several ways of comparing rates and find the best price. The best method to find the cheapest insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be done using a couple different methods.

  • The best way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This method eliminates the need for separate forms for every car insurance company. Taking the time to complete one form gets you price quotes from several companies.
  • A slightly less efficient method to compare rate quotes requires a trip to the website of each company and request a quote. For sake of this example, let's say you want rates from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to spend time on each company's site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Oil City, click here.

Which method you use is up to you, but double check that you are using the exact same quote information with every price quote. If you enter mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to find the best deal in Oil City. Just a small difference in limits may cause a big price difference. It's important to know that obtaining a wide range of quotes will enable you to find a better price.

Oil City Rates are Influenced by These Factors

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Understanding what influences your rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.

  • An active claims history can cost you - If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Companies in Pennsylvania provide better rates to drivers who are claim-free. Auto insurance is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Equipment add-ons that lower car insurance rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder your car from being stolen.
  • Liability insurance protects assets - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you when you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It will provide for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Low deductibles can be expensive - Your deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before a claim is paid by your company. Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply would be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, or theft. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Mature drivers pay less - Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations. Youthful drivers have a tendency to be less responsible in a vehicle therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
  • Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are quite a few extra bells and whistles that can waste your money when buying car insurance. Coverages like roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are examples of these. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they're wasting money get rid of them and save.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - Some companies provide better rates to insureds who carry more than one policy. It's known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even with this discount, you may still want to compare rates to ensure the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.

Are car insurance companies telling the truth?

Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all say the same thing that you can save if you change to their company. How do they all claim to save you money?

All companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer might be between 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has great credit. Any driver who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will be quoted a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's why insurance companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. You cannot predict the company that will give you the biggest savings.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Lower-priced car insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Oil City agents, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

As you prepare to switch companies, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

compare Oil City car insurance rates

Additional detailed information can be found at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to download brochures, view a list of available companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and report car insurance fraud.