Easy Techniques to Save Money on Port Hope Auto Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the number of auto insurance options in Port Hope? Lot's of other consumers are too. There are so many companies to choose from that it can turn into a real hassle to locate the lowest price.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or are shopping for new coverage, you will benefit by learning to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. Buying the lowest cost protection in Port Hope is simple if you know the tricks. Michigan drivers only need an understanding of the best way to compare prices over the internet.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that could result in better auto insurance rates.

  • Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Safer cars are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you.
  • Extra coverages can waste money - There are a ton of extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, accidental death and membership fees are examples of these. They may seem good when talking to your agent, but your needs may have changed so get rid of them and save.
  • Men pay higher rates - Statistics demonstrate that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women have accidents at about the same rate, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. Men also tend to get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
  • Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as doctors, architects and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average in part from job stress and long work hours. On the flip side, occupations like actors, athletes and performers pay the least.
  • Traffic violations increase rates - Whether or not you get tickets impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Only having one speeding ticket may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers with flagrant tickets such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage - Liability coverage provides coverage if a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Clean credit earns discounts - A driver's credit history is a huge factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. If your credit history is not that good, you could save money insuring your by repairing your credit. Consumers who have high credit ratings tend to be less risk to insure than drivers with lower credit scores.

auto insurance in Port Hope

How much can you save with discounts?

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before you get the savings. If they aren't giving you every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Driver Safety - Taking a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
  • Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
  • Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Discount for New Cars - Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of up to 25% or more.
  • No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared with accident-prone drivers.

It's important to understand that most credits do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Port Hope, follow this link.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Michigan consumers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings from companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies say the same thing of big savings after switching your policy.

How do they all make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no tickets, and has great credit. A driver who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who don't meet the "perfect" profile must pay a higher premium which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

This illustrates why you should get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Additional auto insurance information is available on the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Click here for link. Michigan consumers can find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, and learn about insurance regulations.

auto insurance in Port Hope

A tidy conclusion

Low-cost auto insurance can be bought online in addition to many Port Hope insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, denial of a claim, high rates after DUI convictions or even poor customer service. It doesn't matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.