Car Insurance in Washington - 8 Discounts to Save Money

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you are not the only one feeling buyer's remorse. There is such a variety of to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes every six months since rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates last year you will most likely find a better rate today. There is too much inaccurate information about car insurance online but I'm going to show you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Finding the best rates in Washington is quite easy. If you have a current car insurance policy or need new coverage, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Pennsylvania drivers only need an understanding of the most effective way to buy car insurance over the internet.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't list all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of both the well known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Buying coverage for multiple vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • Life Insurance Discount - Larger companies have a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
  • College Student - Youth drivers living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Save with a New Car - Putting insurance coverage on a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
  • Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.

It's important to understand that some credits don't apply to all coverage premiums. Most only cut individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, it doesn't quite work that way.

Washington car insurance comparison

How can Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm save drivers who switch?

Consumers in Pennsylvania get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings after switching your policy.

How does each company claim to save you money?

All companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be a mature driver, has no driving citations, and has great credit. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will have to pay a more expensive rate and this can result in the customer not buying. The ad wording is "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way 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 car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

More tips and info about car insurance can be read at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, report car insurance fraud, view agent and company licensing information, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

In the end, you save

As you prepare to switch companies, it's very important that you do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed full coverage and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Low-cost car insurance can be purchased both online in addition to many Washington insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.