Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Abbeville Car Insurance

Paying for high-priced car insurance can take a big chunk out of your savings account, especially in this economy. Comparison shopping is a smart way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

Lots of contend for your business, and because of this it can be hard to compare and uncover the absolute lowest price

It's important to compare prices yearly since rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best price last year a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to the proper way to find great coverage at a great price.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Car insurance is not cheap, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you complete an application, but less common discounts must be asked for before they will apply.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
Multi-car Discount - Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
E-sign - Certain companies will give a small break for buying your policy on their website.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will cut the amount you have to pay.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that go into determining your car insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that can help you get lower car insurance prices.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" car insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

Poor credit can mean higher rates - Your credit score is a large factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. If your credit rating is lower than you'd like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by repairing your credit. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have poor credit.
Where you live can impact rates - Residing in a rural area has it's advantages when it comes to car insurance. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents. City drivers have to deal with congested traffic and longer commute times. More time on the road means higher likelihood of an accident.
Tickets mean higher rates - Careful drivers receive lower rates than bad drivers. Just one moving violation can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to continue driving.
Higher deductibles cost less - Physical damage insurance, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, or theft. Your deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
Multiple policies with one company can save - Most companies give discounts to policyholders who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal.

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no "perfect" insurance plan. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions can help discover whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
What are the best liability limits?
Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you switch to their company. How do they all make the same claim?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk could be a mature driver, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. Any new insured who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will be charged higher rates which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings.

That is why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about car insurance in South Carolina

Additional information can be found on the website for the South Carolina Department of Insurance through this link. Consumers can find out industry alerts, view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about a company, and report car insurance fraud.

Final considerations

When trying to cut insurance costs, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

You just learned a lot of tips how to reduce car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Drivers may discover the best price on car insurance is with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like .

Cheaper car insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Abbeville agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.