How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Blairsburg

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your savings account, especially in this economy. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to help make ends meet. You have so many to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to price shop coverage on a regular basis because prices are constantly changing. Just because you had the lowest rates a year ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting now, ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to lower your annual insurance bill.

Finding affordable coverage in Blairsburg is not that difficult. If you have insurance now or need new coverage, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Iowa drivers only need an understanding of the tricks to compare rates online.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be specifically requested in order for you to get them. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

Discount for Life Insurance - Larger companies have a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Accident Waiver - Certain companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
Sign Online - A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing over the internet.
Own a Home - Owning a house in Blairsburg may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Payment Discounts - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course in school.

Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don't profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.

Pleasure use saves money - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year's time the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
Are you male or female? - Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn't necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. They both have accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage. They also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are most likely to cause an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
Cautious drivers pay less - Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than bad drivers. Just one citation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who have serious citations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
Marriage pays dividends - Having a spouse can actually save you money when buying auto insurance. It usually means you are more mature and responsible and it's proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
High numbers of claims are not good - If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect higher rates. Car insurance companies in Iowa provide lower rates to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Insurance coverage is intended for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Consumers in Iowa get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all seem to say the same thing of big savings if you switch your policy.

How does each company claim to save you money?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for these standards will have to pay more money which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims.

Because of the profiling, drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.

For more Iowa auto insurance information

Additional auto insurance information can be found on the website for the Iowa Insurance Division located here. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, and get help finding coverage.

A tidy conclusion

While you're price shopping online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford.

Cost effective auto insurance is available both online in addition to many Blairsburg insurance agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

We covered many ways to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may discover the biggest savings come from a small local company. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates compared to the large companies like .