Tightwads Tips for Saving on Wiscasset Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your checking account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparison shopping is a great way to lower your monthly bill. You have so many to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to shop coverage around yearly since insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price last year you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance online but we're going to give you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

Buying car insurance in Wiscasset is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. Maine consumers only need to know the proper way to get comparison rates online.

Tips to Get Lower Wiscasset Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate your rates.

High credit ratings translate to low rates - Your credit rating is a big factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. People with good credit tend to be more responsible than drivers with lower ratings. So if your credit can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit.
Where do you drive? - The more you drive in a year's time the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates than those used for commuting. Double check that your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all aid in stopping auto theft.
Higher deductibles cost less - Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims are collision with another vehicle, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. The deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
Rates may be lower depending on your job - Occupations like judges, social workers and financial analysts have higher average rates due to high stress levels and long work days. Conversely, professions such as pilots, engineers and the unemployed get better rates.

Save big with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance do not list every available discount very clearly, so we researched some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Pay Upfront and Save - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
Own a Home - Being a homeowner can save you money because of the fact that having a home shows financial diligence.
Claim Free - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less compared to accident-prone drivers.
Defensive Driving Course - Successfully completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

To choose providers with the best auto insurance discounts in Maine, click here.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Maine drivers can't ignore all the ads for car insurance savings from the likes of Allstate and Progressive. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you move your coverage to them.

How does each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. For instance, a preferred risk might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when switching.

Potential insureds who fall outside these standards will be charged more money and this can result in business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a single plan that fits everyone. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions can help discover if your situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?

If you can't answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Learn more about auto insurance in Maine

Even more information is located at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Maine drivers can find out industry alerts, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, view a list of available companies, and report car insurance fraud.

In the end, you save

When trying to cut insurance costs, never buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

The cheapest auto insurance is possible on the web as well as from independent agents in Wiscasset, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies don't offer online price quotes and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.