How to Find Cheaper Valley Center Auto Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the wide range of auto insurance options in Valley Center? Many other drivers are as well. People have so many choices that it can turn into a real hassle to find better rates.

If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. Locating the lowest cost protection in Valley Center can be fairly easy. But California drivers do need to know how the larger insurance companies sell online.

Valley Center Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that could result in better auto insurance rates.

  • Liability coverage is peace of mind - Liability coverage provides coverage if a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.
  • Little extras can really add up - There are a ton of extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, accidental death and term life insurance may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if they're wasting money get rid of them and save.
  • Pay less if you're married - Getting married can get you a discount on your policy. Having a spouse means you're more mature than a single person and it's proven that being married results in fewer claims.
  • Women pay lower rates - Statistics demonstrate that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Men and women have accidents at a similar rate, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
  • Multi-policy discounts can save money - Many insurers will award you with lower prices to customers who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. You may still find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
  • Proper usage rating affects rates - Driving more miles in a year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart car theft.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies don't always advertise all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of both well-publicized as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Organization Discounts - Participating in certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Fewer annual miles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Paperless Signup - Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
  • Driver Safety - Taking a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Discount for New Cars - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
  • Auto/Home Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may save 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • No Charge for an Accident - A few companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven't had any claims for a certain period of time.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most cut individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don't profit that way.

To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Valley Center, click here to view.

Is there truth in advertising?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. All the companies make an identical promise that you'll save big after switching to their company. How do they all make almost identical claims?

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. A good example of a profitable customer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no tickets, and chooses high deductibles. A driver who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to the "perfect" profile must pay more money and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's the way companies can state the savings. This illustrates why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

More detailed California auto insurance information can be read at the California Department of Insurance website. California consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, discover disciplinary actions, and get help finding coverage.

auto insurance in Valley Center

Affordable insurance is out there

Discount auto insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood Valley Center agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When buying insurance coverage, never buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, an insured dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

People change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as questionable increases in premium, delays in responding to claim requests, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even denial of a claim. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.