Tightwads Tips for Saving on St Francisville Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy overpriced auto insurance? Trust us, there are a lot of people in St Francisville just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy. There is such a variety of to pick from, and although it's a good thing to have a choice, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

How to Compare St Francisville Auto Insurance Costs

Getting better auto insurance pricing is not a difficult process. You just have to invest a few minutes comparing rate quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.

The first (and easiest) way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This form saves time by eliminating separate quotes for every auto insurance company. Completing one form gets rate comparisons instantly.

A harder way to get quotes online is spending the time to visit the website of each company to complete a price quote. For instance, let's assume you want to compare rates from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your policy data, and that's why the first method is more popular.

To view a list of companies in St Francisville, click here.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just compare identical information for every company. If you use higher or lower deductibles you will not be able to decipher which rate is best in St Francisville.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

It's important that you understand the rating factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

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

Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
Don't buy coverages you don't need - There are a ton of extra coverages that can waste your money if you aren't careful. Coverages for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and membership fees may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment when talking to your agent, but your needs may have changed so eliminate them to save money.
Where you live can impact rates - Choosing to live in a rural area can save you money when buying auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas have to deal with traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate.
Drive less and save money - Driving more miles in a year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Never go without insurance - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a fast way to bump up your auto insurance costs. Not only will you pay more, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Louisiana motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
Frequent auto insurance claims increase rates - Companies in Louisiana give lower rates to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Many auto insurance companies provide better rates to people who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount it's in your best interest to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.

Save big with these discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't always publicize every discount very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance. If you're not getting every credit possible, you're just leaving money on the table.

Drivers Education - Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
Driver Safety - Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
Federal Government Employee - Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% with a few auto insurance companies.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions 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 all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

For a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Louisiana, click this link.

Even more information can be read at the Louisiana Department of Insurance website. Louisiana drivers can view a list of available companies, discover disciplinary actions, view agent and company licensing information, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other useful links include this site for auto insurance rates in Louisiana and this list of insurance agents in St Francisville, LA.

Best coverage at the best price

Cheaper auto insurance can be purchased on the web in addition to many St Francisville insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online quoting and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, make sure you don't reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where an insured dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.