Tightwads Guide to Saving on Antlers Auto Insurance

I can't think of anyone who likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof.

Because you have many insurance companies to choose from, it can be challenging to find the cheapest car insurance company.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates occasionally because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest rates a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the tricks you need to know to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

Finding affordable coverage in Antlers is easy if you know what you're doing. If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. But Oklahoma drivers do need to know the methods companies use to sell online and use this information to your advantage.

Antlers Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

Women pay lower rates - Statistics show women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Men and women have accidents in similar percentages, but the males have costlier accidents. They also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Discounts for multiple policies - Many companies will give a discount to customers who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's in your best interest to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are a ton of additional coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Things like vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and term life insurance are examples of these. They may seem like a good idea when talking to your agent, but if they're wasting money remove them from your policy.
Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as lawyers, architects and stock brokers tend to have the highest rates in part from stressful work requirements and long work hours. On the other hand, occupations like scientists, students and performers receive lower rates.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't always advertise all their discounts very well, so we break down both well-publicized and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings.

Accident Forgiveness - Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
Anti-theft System - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Driver Safety - Taking a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
No Accidents - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially as compared to accident-prone drivers.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Service Members Pay Less - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.
Use Seat Belts - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
Discount for New Cars - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
Good Student - This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Oklahoma, follow this link.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to say the same thing that you'll save big after switching to their company. But how can every company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be over the age of 40, owns a home, and has a short commute. A driver who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don't meet this ideal profile will have to pay a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That is how companies can make the claims of big savings. Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Every insured's situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions might point out if your insurance needs could use an agent's help.

Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?

If you don't know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

More detailed Oklahoma auto insurance information can be found at the Oklahoma Insurance Department website. Oklahoma consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read consumer alerts, discover disciplinary actions, and read industry bulletins.

Other informative sites include this site for Oklahoma auto insurance information and see this list of insurance agents in Antlers.

Shop smart and save

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood Antlers agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price.