Bigelow Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Comparison shopping for Bigelow auto insurance is nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with comparing rates online. Drivers have so many options available that it can easily become more work than you anticipated to find the best price in Bigelow.

Finding affordable coverage in Bigelow is easy if you know what you're doing. In a nutshell, every vehicle owner who is required by state law to have auto insurance will most likely be able to lower their premiums. But Arkansas drivers do need to know the way insurance companies market on the web.

Tips to Get Lower Bigelow Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

  • Always keep insurance in force - Not having insurance is a misdemeanor and as a result your rates will increase for letting your coverage have a gap. Not only will rates go up, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Arkansas motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Careers like real estate brokers, executives and financial analysts have higher average rates in part from stressful work requirements and long work hours. Conversely, occupations like farmers, engineers and the unemployed get better rates.
  • Safer cars are cheaper to insure - Safer cars tend to have better insurance rates. The safest vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
  • Small claims can cost you - Companies in Arkansas give lower rates to people who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on higher rates. Car insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
  • Your location affects your rates - Being located in a small town can save you money when insuring your vehicles. Drivers in populated areas regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident and a lower car theft rate.
  • With age comes lower rates - Teen drivers in Arkansas tend to be careless and easily distracted in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.
  • Traffic violations increase rates - A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even one ticket can bump up the cost forty percent or more. Drivers who don't get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. If you have severe violations such as DUI or reckless driving may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to drive a vehicle legally.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies do not list every discount very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Claim Free - Claim-free drivers pay less when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Keeping the miles down could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Lower Rates for Military - Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
  • Defensive Driving Course - Taking a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for a small decrease in premiums.
  • Distant Student - Any of your kids living away from home attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Cars that have air bags may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Arkansas, click this link.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use television and radio advertisements. They all make the same claim that you'll save big if you move your coverage to them. How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be a mature driver, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A driver who matches those parameters will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for these standards will be quoted more money which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's why companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why you should compare many company's rates. It is impossible to predict the company that will give you the biggest savings.

More detailed Arkansas auto insurance information can be read at the Arkansas Insurance Department website. Arkansas consumers can find a variety of consumer forms, read industry bulletins, and find disaster information.

Shop smart and save

Insureds who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests or even delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is definitely available online as well as from independent agents in Bigelow, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies don't offer online price quotes and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.