Tightwads Tips for Saving on Star Junction Car Insurance

Are you sick and tired of paying out the nose each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than many other drivers in Pennsylvania. Consumers have many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates before your policy renews because rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best deal a year ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. So just forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you're going to learn the only way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Finding the best rates in Star Junction is quite easy. If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to save some money using this strategy. Pennsylvania drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to buy car insurance over the internet.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Auto insurance companies don't always list every available discount very clearly, so here is a list some of the more common and the more hidden ways to save on car insurance. If you're not getting every credit available, you're paying more than you need to.

  • Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • No Accidents - Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts compared to bad drivers.
  • One Accident Forgiven - Certain companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
  • Multi-policy Discount - When you combine your home and auto insurance with one insurance company you will save 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • Good Students Pay Less - A discount for being a good student can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Memberships - Belonging to a qualifying organization could trigger savings on your policy.

It's important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Just because it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, it doesn't quite work that way.

To see a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in Pennsylvania, click this link.

Pennsylvania car insurance

Comparison of Car Insurance in Star Junction

Most companies like State Farm and Allstate quote prices directly from their websites. The process is quite easy as you simply enter as detailed in the form. Once you submit the form, their rating system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and generates a price based on many factors. This simplifies rate comparisons, but the time required to go to each company's website and repetitively fill out multiple forms is repetitive and time-consuming. But it's very important to get many rate quotes if you are searching for the best price on car insurance.

The preferred way to lower your car insurance bill utilizes a single form that analyzes rates from several companies at one time. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes quoting online much simpler. After your information is entered, it is quoted and you can select any one of the price quotes you receive. If the quotes result in lower rates, you can simply submit the application and purchase the new policy. It takes just a few minutes to complete and can result in significant savings.

If you want to find out if lower rates are available, click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it's recommended that you enter the limits and deductibles exactly as they are listed on your policy. This makes sure you will receive comparison quotes based on the exact same insurance coverage.

You have some control over your rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that can help you get better car insurance rates.

The following are some of the factors car insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

  • How credit affects car insurance rates - Your credit history is a large factor in your rate calculation. If your credit rating is not that good, you could pay less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores.
  • Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations like doctors, executives and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates attributed to job stress and long work hours. Conversely, occupations such as farmers, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
  • Being married can save on car insurance - Being married can get you a discount on your car insurance policy. Marriage means you're more mature and responsible and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • More people means more accidents - Being located in a small town has it's advantages when it comes to car insurance. Drivers in populated areas have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
  • How's your driving record? - Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Only having one citation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
  • Little extras can really add up - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles you can purchase on your policy. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, better glass coverage and term life insurance may be wasting your money. They may seem good at first, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
  • Safer occupants lowers premiums - Safer cars tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars reduce injuries and fewer injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage - Liability coverage will protect you in the event that you are found to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides legal defense coverage up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.

How can State Farm and Allstate save drivers who switch?

Consumers can't get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance by State Farm and Allstate. All the ads make the same claim of big savings after switching to their company.

How does each company make the same claim?

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. An example of a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. A customer who matches those parameters receives the best rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential insureds who are not a match for these standards will be charged more money which leads to business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That's why insurance companies can confidently make those claims. That is why drivers must quote coverage with many companies. Because you never know the company that will have the lowest rates.

In the end, you save

We just showed you many ideas to compare car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the lowest rates come from a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. These smaller insurers can often provide lower rates in certain areas than the large multi-state companies such as .

Low-cost car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Star Junction agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, read industry bulletins, get help finding coverage, and view agent and company licensing information.

Additional helpful sites include NAIC.org's Understanding your Policy and this directory of Star Junction insurance agents.