Best Way to Find Low-Cost Bellevue Car Insurance

Finding the most affordable Bellevue car insurance online can be intimidating for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. Since there are so many companies competing online, how can consumers even start to compare the different rates to find the cheapest rates?

It's important to check car insurance prices quite often due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates last year a different company probably has better rates today. There is a lot of wrong information about car insurance on the web, but I'm going to show you some great ways to find cheap car insurance.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't always advertise all their discounts very well, so the following is a list of both the well known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

  • College Student - Youth drivers living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
  • Bundle and Save - If you have multiple policies with one company you could get a discount of approximately 10% to 15%.
  • Save with a New Car - Insuring a new car is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Passive Restraints - Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
  • Military Rewards - Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it just doesn't work that way.

Bellevue car insurance comparison

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with big savings.

  • Older drivers pay less - Youthful drivers in Washington are known to be more careless when driving so car insurance rates are higher. Adding a teenage driver to your policy can be quite pricey. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
  • Where you live - Residing in less populated areas can be a good thing when talking about car insurance. Urban drivers tend to have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer people means fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
  • Better credit means lower rates - Credit history is a big factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. If your credit score is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with lower credit scores.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - Many insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • High numbers of claims are not good - If you file claims often, you can expect higher rates. Car insurance companies in Washington generally give discounts to drivers who file claims infrequently. Insurance coverage is intended for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different.

For example, these questions may help you determine whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Bellevue?
  • Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Washington?
  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?

If you can't answer these questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.

Is there truth in advertising?

Car insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save after switching to them. But how can every company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be between the ages of 40 and 55, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. Any driver that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to this ideal profile will have to pay more money and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers should get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

More sites with car insurance information

Additional detailed information can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, view agent and company licensing information, and find out industry alerts.

Also read more on this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Bellevue.

Bellevue car insurance comparison

Affordable insurance is out there

As you prepare to switch companies, don't be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at the best price.

We just presented a lot of techniques to reduce car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest priced car insurance comes from some of the smallest insurance companies.

Drivers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, policy non-renewal, poor customer service and even extreme rates for teen drivers. Regardless of your reason, finding a new car insurance company is less work than it seems.