How to Know You're Throwing Money Away for Auto Insurance in Aptos

Are you sick and tired of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? You are no different than many other drivers in California.

Numerous battle for your business, so it's not easy to compare every to discover the definitive lowest price

If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Finding the best rates in Aptos is quite easy. Nevertheless, California consumers do need to know the methods companies use to market insurance on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Always keep insurance in force - Driving with no insurance is against the law and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage have a gap. And not only will your rates increase, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a steep fine or even jail time.
  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Careers like judges, architects and accountants tend to have higher rates than average because of job stress and lengthy work days. On the flip side, occupations such as farmers, athletes and retirees receive lower rates.
  • Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. The safest vehicles reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you when you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Marriage brings a discount - Having a wife or husband helps lower the price when buying auto insurance. Having a significant other means you're more mature and responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Proper usage rating affects rates - The higher the mileage driven every year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet is showing the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money.
  • Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Companies in California provide better rates to policyholders who are claim-free. Auto insurance is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Your car's features help determine rates - Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder your car from being stolen.

Comparison of Auto Insurance in Aptos

All major auto insurance companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO quote prices online. This process is quite easy as you simply type in as detailed in the form. After the form is submitted, the system will obtain your credit score and driving record and returns a price quote based on these and other factors. Quoting online simplifies rate comparisons, but the process of having to visit different websites and complete many quote forms is monotonous and tiresome. But it's very important to have as many quotes as possible if you are searching for the best price on auto insurance.

The preferred way to lower your auto insurance bill uses one form to obtain quotes from multiple companies. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes rate comparisons much more enjoyable. Immediately after submitting the form, it is quoted with multiple companies and you can pick any of the resulting price quotes. If a lower price is quoted, you can click and sign and purchase the new policy. It just takes a couple of minutes and may result in a nice savings.

To find out if lower rates are available, click here to open in new window and complete the simple form. If you have coverage now, it's recommended you replicate deductibles and limits identical to your current policy. This makes sure you will have an apples-to-apples comparison for the exact same coverage.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched both the well known as well as the least known auto insurance savings.

  • Use Seat Belts - Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • No Accidents - Claim-free drivers pay much less when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Low mileage vehicles could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Multiple Cars - Buying coverage for all your vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • One Accident Forgiven - A few companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
  • Save with a New Car - Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
  • Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if offered at their school.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies don't profit that way.

To choose insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Aptos, follow this link.

How can Progressive, Allstate and GEICO save drivers who switch?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO consistently run ads on television and other media. They all say the same thing of big savings if you change to their company. How do they all claim to save you money?

All companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer might be over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who are not a match for the "perfect" profile will be quoted higher prices which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That's why insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. This emphasizes why you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

More tips and info about auto insurance is located at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to find a variety of consumer forms, read industry bulletins, find disaster information, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Affordable insurance is out there

Cost effective auto insurance is attainable both online and also from your neighborhood Aptos agents, and you need to comparison shop both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.