Easy Tips to Save Money on Bedford Car Insurance

Are you intimidated by the sheer number of car insurance options in Bedford? Lot's of other consumers are too. There are so many companies to choose from that it can turn into more work than you anticipated to find better rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes every six months because rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest rates on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. So just block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you're going to learn the tricks you need to know to save on car insurance.

If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. The purpose of this article is to help educate you on how to get online quotes and some money-saving tips. But Virginia car owners do need to know the way companies sell online and use this information to your advantage.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't always list all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we break down some of the more common and the more hidden car insurance savings.

55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a discount up to 10%.
Clubs and Organizations - Belonging to a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break on car insurance.
Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially as compared to drivers who are more careless.
No Charge for an Accident - A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
Air Bag Discount - Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance from them.

Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, companies don't profit that way.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" that factor into rates.

Older drivers pay less - Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers. Young drivers have a tendency to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
Liability coverage is peace of mind - Your policy's liability coverage provides coverage if ever you are found to be at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Small claims can cost you - If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance companies in Virginia provide cheaper rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
Do you work long hours in a high stress job? - Jobs such as lawyers, architects and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates attributed to stressful work requirements and long work hours. Other occupations like actors, historians and retirees pay the least.
Males pay more for insurance - Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn't mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women have accidents in similar percentages, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also get cited for more serious violations such as reckless driving.
Clean credit earns discounts - Credit score is a large factor in calculating your car insurance rates. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than those with lower credit scores. If your credit rating is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score.

Is there truth in advertising?

Car insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all seem to say the same thing that you'll save big if you change your policy. How can each company make the same claim?

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't measure up to the requirements will have to pay a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers should get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

More detailed Virginia car insurance information can be found at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and download brochures.

Final considerations

When you buy insurance online, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.

Discount car insurance can be sourced from both online companies in addition to many Bedford insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Consumers leave their current company for many reasons like not issuing a premium refund, questionable increases in premium, extreme rates for teen drivers and even high rates after DUI convictions. Regardless of your reason, finding the right car insurance provider is less work than it seems.