Tightwads Guide for Saving on Roosevelt Auto Insurance

Have you had enough of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as the majority of other car owners in Utah. Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive constantly blast consumers with advertising and consumers find it hard to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies don't necessarily list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list both the well known and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If you aren't receiving every discount available, you are throwing money away.

No Claims - Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts when compared to drivers who are more careless.
Payment Method - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Homeowners Pay Less - Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home requires personal responsibility.
Employee of Federal Government - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.
Military Discounts - Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.

It's important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So when the math indicates having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you're out of luck.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The following are some of the factors that factor into prices.

Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Careers like doctors, executives and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and lots of time spent at work. Other professions such as farmers, historians and performers pay the least.
Theft deterrents lower rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
Discounts for married couples - Being married can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. Having a significant other usually means you are more mature and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Low deductibles can be expensive - Physical damage deductibles define the amount you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, or theft. The more money the insured has to pay upfront, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
More miles equals more premium - Driving more miles every year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Autos not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
High crash test scores lower rates - Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money when buying auto insurance. Insurance for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and membership fees may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good at first, but your needs may have changed so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Consumers in Utah get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance from companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim that you can save after switching your policy.

How can each company claim to save you money?

All the different companies can use profiling for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of a driver they prefer might be a mature driver, has no tickets, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted higher premiums which leads to the customer not buying. The ads say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That's why insurance companies can make those claims. This emphasizes why drivers should compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know the company that will have the lowest rates.

More Utah auto insurance information

Additional detailed information is available at the Utah Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to read industry bulletins, view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, and report car insurance fraud.

And the best car insurance company is...

Lower-priced auto insurance can be sourced both online in addition to many Roosevelt insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

While you're price shopping online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.