Comparing the Cheapest Alta Vista Auto Insurance

Are you sick and tired of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as many other Iowa drivers. Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive promote their brand names with ads and it can be hard to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

More discounts equal less premium

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied prior to receiving the credit. If you aren't receiving every discount available, you are throwing money away.

  • Claim Free - Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class in high school.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Keeping the miles down can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for auto insurance.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will reduce your premiums.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" used by your company to calculate prices.

  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Careers like lawyers, business owners and dentists have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and lengthy work days. Other jobs such as farmers, historians and the unemployed get better rates.
  • Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Companies in Iowa award cheaper rates to drivers who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Your car's features help determine rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all hinder car theft.
  • Low deductibles can be expensive - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, vandalism, and burglary. The higher the amount you have to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Consolidate policies to earn discounts - The majority of insurers provide better rates to customers who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, you may still want to compare other company rates to verify if the discount is saving money. Consumers may find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Do you have enough liability coverage? - The liability section of your policy will protect you when a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
  • Don't get talked into coverage you don't need - There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Insurance for personal injury protection, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage may be costing you every month. These coverages may sound good at first, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Iowa consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise that you can save if you move your coverage to them.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who do not match the requirements will be quoted higher prices and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much money. That's why insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

More information can be found on the website for the Iowa Insurance Division through this link. Iowa consumers can read industry bulletins, download brochures, view a list of available companies, and report car insurance fraud.

compare Alta Vista auto insurance rates

Best coverage at the best price

Affordable auto insurance is definitely available online as well as from independent agents in Alta Vista, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.