How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Bluffton

Nobody likes paying for auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much. Numerous battle for your hard-earned dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates to find the lowest rate

If you have insurance now or are shopping for new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Bluffton is quite easy. South Carolina drivers only need an understanding of the proper methods to compare company rates online.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.

Lower deductibles cost more - The deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. A few examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, collision with an animal, and burglary. The more money you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Do you know you're credit rating? - A driver's credit score is a big factor in determining your rates. If your credit history is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by repairing your credit. People with good credit tend to be more responsible than drivers with poor credit.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Most insurance companies will award you with lower prices to customers who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be 10 percent or more. If you currently are using one company, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to verify if the discount is saving money.
Safer cars cost less to insure - Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates means less money paid by your insurance company and lower rates for you.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both well-publicized and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If they aren't giving you every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Multi-car Discount - Buying insurance for more than one vehicle with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Driving fewer miles can qualify you for a substantially lower rate.
Organization Discounts - Participating in certain professional organizations may earn a discount when buying auto insurance.
Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver's education in school.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of up to 25% or more.
Defensive Driver - Successfully completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.

Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

To choose insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Bluffton, click here.

Is there truth in advertising?

South Carolina consumers can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance from the likes of Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies have a common claim of big savings if you switch your coverage to them.

How do they all make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be between 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who don't measure up to the "perfect" profile must pay higher prices and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This illustrates why you should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you might need professional guidance.

Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?

If you can't answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

For more South Carolina car insurance information

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina consumers can report car insurance fraud, find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, and find disaster information.

Best coverage at the best price

Cost effective auto insurance can be found online as well as from independent agents in Bluffton, so compare prices from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.