Tightwads Tips for Saving on Shoemakersville Car Insurance

Nobody likes having to buy car insurance, especially when the cost is too high.

Drivers have so many to pick from, and although it's nice to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare prices periodically because rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates a year ago you can probably find a better price now. Don't believe everything you read about car insurance online, so I'm going to show you some great ways to quit paying high car insurance rates.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that play a part in calculating your car insurance rates. Knowing what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Males pay more for insurance - Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn't mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes have accidents at a similar rate, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also get more serious tickets such as reckless driving.
  • How's your driving record? - Drivers who don't get tickets get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Even a single speeding ticket can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who have dangerous citations such as DUI or reckless driving may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • What are your deductibles? - Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims are collision with another vehicle, damage from fire, or theft. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more expense you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
  • Rural vs Urban Areas - Living in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer people means a lower chance of having an accident and a lower car theft rate.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't always publicize all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don't have any claims for a set time period.
  • Good Student - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
  • Multiple Cars - Buying insurance for all your vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
  • Organization Discounts - Belonging to a qualifying organization may earn a discount on car insurance.

It's important to note that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you're out of luck.

To choose companies with discount car insurance rates in Pennsylvania, click here.

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

Car insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save if you change your coverage to them. How does each company make the same claim? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a desirable insured could be over the age of 50, a clean driving record, and has excellent credit. A customer that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Drivers who don't meet these standards will have to pay a higher premium and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That is how insurance companies can make those claims. Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know which company will have the lowest rates.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions may help highlight if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If you can't answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Additional Pennsylvania consumer information

Additional detailed information can be read at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, report car insurance fraud, and view agent and company licensing information.

Other informative sites include this site for Pennsylvania car insurance information and see this list of insurance agents in Shoemakersville.

Pennsylvania car insurance

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Lower-priced car insurance can be sourced from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Shoemakersville, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection. Some companies don't offer online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

We just showed you a lot of techniques to save on car insurance. It's most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from some of the smallest insurance companies. Some small companies often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like .

While you're price shopping online, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, someone dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price.