Tightwads Tips for Saving on Solana Beach Auto Insurance

Paying for high-priced auto insurance can dwindle your savings account and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparison shopping is a smart way to tighten up your finances.

There is such a variety of to pick from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes yearly because prices are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price a few years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance on the web, but I'm going to show you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

How much can you save with discounts?

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at quote time, but a few must be manually applied in order for you to get them.

Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
College Student - Children who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
No Claims - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
Sign Online - A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy over the internet.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone's situation is a little different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions can help discover if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.

When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
Do I qualify for additional discounts?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

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

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to say the same thing about savings after switching your policy. How does each company make almost identical claims?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured could possibly be a mature driver, has no prior claims, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't meet these standards will have to pay more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. This is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about auto insurance in California

Additional information is located on the website for the California Department of Insurance located here. California consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and read industry bulletins.

Also read more on Wikipedia and this page where you can research Solana Beach insurance agents.

Final considerations

As you shop your coverage around, make sure you don't buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Cheaper auto insurance can be bought online in addition to many Solana Beach insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.