9 Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Prices in Amarillo, TX

Consumers not familiar with comparing insurance rates online will discover purchasing cheap Amarillo car insurance nearly impossible.

You should make it a habit to take a look at other company’s rates before your policy renews since rates change frequently. Even if you got the lowest rates two years ago you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding car insurance on the internet, so I’m going to show you some good information on how to put money back in your pocket.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

Your car insurance rates can be influenced by your job – Jobs such as doctors, executives and accountants have higher rates than average because of high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, occupations such as farmers, athletes and retirees get better rates.
Clean credit earns discounts – Your credit rating is a large factor in determining your rates. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit. If your credit history can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your credit score.
Do men or women drive better? – Statistics have proven that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that men are worse drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to get more serious tickets such as reckless driving.
No coverage gaps is important – Not having insurance is a misdemeanor and you will pay a penalty because you let your insurance lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance can result in a revoked license or a big fine.You may need to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the Texas motor vehicle department.
Older drivers pay less – Teenage drivers in Texas are known to be more careless when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and get fewer tickets.
One company can mean more discounts – Many insurers provide better rates to customers who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even if you’re getting this discount you still need to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
Cautious drivers pay less – Whether or not you get tickets has a big impact on rates. Drivers with clean records tend to pay less for car insurance than their less careful counterparts. Even one moving violation may increase your cost by twenty percent. Drivers with dangerous tickets like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to submit a SR-22 form with their state motor vehicle department in order to prevent a license revocation.
Frequent car insurance claims increase rates – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can pretty much guarantee either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance companies in Texas award cheaper rates to people who file claims infrequently. Your insurance policy is intended for the large, substantial claims.

Verify you’re getting all your discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there are discounts available to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be applied when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for prior to receiving the credit. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Driver’s Ed – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
Anti-theft Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Save with a New Car – Insuring a new car can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
Accident Free – Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared with frequent claim filers.
Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

To choose providers with the best car insurance discounts in Amarillo, follow this link.

Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?

Certain consumers would rather buy from a local agent and that is just fine! Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the best rates and still choose a local agent. And supporting small agencies is important particularly in Amarillo.

Once you complete this short form, the quote information is sent to insurance agents in Amarillo who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no need to drive around since price quotes are sent to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!

Pick the best auto insurance agent in Amarillo for you

When searching for a good insurance agency, there are a couple of types of insurance agents to choose from. Agents are categorized either independent or captive. Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they are different since it can impact the selection process.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part.

When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to contact at least one independent agent to get the best comparison. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can be an advantage.

Below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Amarillo who may be able to give you price quote information.

Maverick Insurance – 1808 E Amarillo Blvd – Amarillo, TX 79107 – (806) 374-4884
Alice Brooks Agency – 2491 W Interstate 40 – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 359-9799
Claybaugh Agency – 4509 Princeton St – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 356-0270
Chuck Ferrell Agency – 2513 Orange St – Amarillo, TX 79107 – (806) 383-0261
Don G Tipps Insurance – 2700 S Western St # 1500 – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 355-7812

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with such as Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They generally cannot compare other company’s rates so always compare other rates. Captive agencies receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Some consumers prefer to choose to use a captive agent mainly due to the brand legacy and solid financial strength.

Below are Amarillo captive agents willing to provide price quote information.

Allstate Insurance – 921 S Grand St # A – Amarillo, TX 79104 – (806) 342-4430
Farm Bureau Insurance – 4021 W 50th Ave – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 358-0077
State Farm Insurance – 113 W 10th Ave – Amarillo, TX 79101 – (806) 379-7773
Farmers Insurance Group – 3451 S Western St – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 355-0102

For a complete listing of captive insurance agencies in Amarillo, click here to link.

Selecting an auto insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

How long has their agency been open in Amarillo?
Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
Which company do they place the most coverage with?
Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?

After receiving positive responses and a low price estimate, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that is a good match to service your policy.

You are unique and your car insurance should be too

When it comes to choosing the best car insurance coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.

What are the best liability limits?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Is Texas a no-fault state?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
Do I need roadside assistance coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

For more Texas car insurance information

Much more information about car insurance in Texas is available on the Texas Department of Insurance website located here. Texas drivers can read industry bulletins, view agent and company licensing information, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Compare but don’t skimp

Cheap car insurance is possible both online and also from your neighborhood Amarillo agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some companies may not provide online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for car insurance, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

In this article, we covered some good ideas how to get a better price on car insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may discover the best price on car insurance is with the smaller companies.