Proven Techniques to Save on Allston Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, there are many people just like you.

There is such a variety of to pick from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to big savings.

Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart car theft.
Add-on coverages can add up - There are many extra coverages that can waste your money when buying auto insurance. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and membership fees may be costing you every month. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so eliminate them to save money.
Clean credit earns discounts - Having a bad credit score is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. If your credit score is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than those with poor credit.
Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
Adjust deductibles and save - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, or theft. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the less your auto insurance will be.
Your job and insurance rates - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Careers like lawyers, business owners and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates because of high stress and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, occupations such as actors, engineers and homemakers pay the least.
Do you have enough liability coverage? - Liability insurance provides coverage when you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.

Quick Allston Auto Insurance Quotes

All major auto insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO allow you to get insurance quotes on the web. This process doesn't take much effort as you simply type in the coverage amounts you desire as detailed in the form. After the form is submitted, the system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and returns a price. This makes it a lot easier to compare rates but having to visit a lot of sites and complete many quote forms gets old quite quickly. But it's very important to perform this step in order to find better auto insurance pricing.

There is a better way!

The preferred way to find better auto insurance pricing uses one form that gets prices from several companies at one time. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes online price comparison a little more enjoyable. Immediately after submitting the form, it is rated and you can choose any one of the resulting price quotes.

If a lower price is quoted, it's easy to complete the application and buy the new coverage. The entire process takes 15 minutes at the most and may save quite a bit of money.

To find out what other companies charge, click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you copy as shown on your current policy. This makes sure you're receiving a fair comparison for the exact same coverage.

These discounts can lower your rates

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but companies offer discounts that many people don't even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply at quote time, but a few need to be asked for in order for you to get them.

Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class in school.
Defensive Driver - Taking part in a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
Anti-lock Brake System - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Life Insurance - Some companies give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Homeowners Discount - Simply owning a home can help you save on auto insurance because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Massachusetts, click here to view.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. They all make an identical promise that you can save if you switch your policy. How does each company claim to save you money?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer might be between 30 and 50, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential insureds who are not a match for these standards will be quoted more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way insurance companies can claim big savings.

This emphasizes why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

More information can be found on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance located here. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, discover disciplinary actions, find out industry alerts, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this site for auto insurance rates in Massachusetts and this list of insurance agents in Allston, MA.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Affordable auto insurance can be found both online in addition to many Allston insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not provide online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.