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

No one in their right mind likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are too high.

Because you have many companies and agents to choose from, it's difficult to locate the cheapest car insurance company.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies offering auto insurance don't always list every discount very well, so we researched some of the best known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.

Military Rewards - Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Good Student - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
Distant Student - Kids in college who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
Theft Prevention System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
Passive Restraint Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
Driver's Ed - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

The following are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine prices.

Drive a safer car and pay less - Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates.
Traffic citations inflate rates - Even one citation can increase rates by twenty percent. Good drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to keep their license.
Older drivers pay less - Teenage drivers in Texas are known to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. If you've ever had to add a teen driver to your policy can be quite pricey. Older drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Many insurers provide better rates to people who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you might need an agent's assistance.

Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Texas?
What are Texas no-fault laws?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If you're not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads in print and on television. They all make an identical promise about savings after switching to them. But how can every company say the same thing?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Consumers who do not match this ideal profile will be quoted higher prices and ends up with business not being written. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. This emphasizes why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Additional Texas consumer information

Even more information is located at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can find disaster information, file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on this page for auto insurance prices in Texas and this page of Booker insurance agents.

Affordable insurance is out there

In this article, we covered many tips how you can reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even discover the lowest rates come from some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper as compared to the big name companies such as .

When you buy insurance online, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.