7 Best Tricks to Lower Car Insurance Costs in Truckee

Nobody looks forward to paying for car insurance, especially when the cost is way too high. Popular companies such as GEICO and Progressive persitently shower you with ad campaigns and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It's important to price shop coverage occasionally since rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best price last year you will most likely find a better rate today. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you're about to find out the quickest way to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and still get good coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Truckee is quite easy. California drivers only need an understanding of the best way to find the lowest price on the web.

Don't pay full price with these seven discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't necessarily list all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the more common and also the lesser-known car insurance savings. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

  • Accident Forgiveness - A handful of insurance companies allow you one accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims prior to the accident.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Belonging to a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break on car insurance.
  • Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
  • Homeowners Savings - Owning a house in Truckee may trigger a car insurance policy discount because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member could be rewarded with lower premiums.

Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think it's possible to get free car insurance, companies don't profit that way.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a "perfect" insurance plan. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Do I qualify for additional discounts?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • What are the financial responsibility laws in California?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

The car insurance bait and switch

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to say the same thing of big savings if you change your policy.

How can each company make the same claim? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could be between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and has great credit. Any new insured who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't measure up to the requirements will have to pay a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's just too difficult to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the California Department of Insurance website. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read consumer alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, and download brochures.

Truckee car insurance quote

And the best car insurance company is...

Cost effective car insurance can be sourced from both online companies in addition to many Truckee insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

As you prepare to switch companies, it's a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, an insured cut physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price.