Easy Methods to Save Money on Brentwood Auto Insurance

Price shopping your Brentwood auto insurance is hard for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. Drivers have so many options that it can be more work than you anticipated to compare prices in Brentwood.

It's important to compare prices before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest price last year you can probably find a better price now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate the tricks you need to know to get good coverage at a lower rate.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

Do men or women drive better? - The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Men and women are in accidents in similar numbers, but the males have costlier accidents. They also receive more costly citations like DUI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Small claims can cost you - If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance companies in California award lower rates to insureds who are claim-free. Car insurance is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Big city or small town - Being located in a small town can be a good thing when talking about auto insurance. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
With age comes lower rates - Youthful drivers in California are known to be more careless in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
Pay less after the wedding - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount on your policy. It means you're more responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Little extras can really add up - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that you can buy when buying auto insurance. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, towing coverage and term life insurance may be costing you every month. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
Pleasure use saves money - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Verify your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Cautious drivers pay less - Your driving citation history has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even one moving violation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who have flagrant citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.

These discounts can lower your rates

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. A few discounts will automatically apply when you complete an application, but less common discounts must be asked for before they will apply.

Senior Citizens - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
College Student - Kids in college who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
Sign Online - Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
Driver Safety - Taking a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in California, click here to view.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads on television and other media. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings after switching to their company. How does each company claim to save you money?

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured might be between 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for these standards will have to pay higher rates and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That's why companies can truthfully claim big savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

Additional information is located on the California Department of Insurance website located here. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, download brochures, and view agent and company licensing information.

Do the work, save more money

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.

People change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as denial of a claim, high rates after DUI convictions, delays in paying claims or even not issuing a premium refund. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.

Cheap auto insurance can be purchased both online and also from your neighborhood Brentwood agents, so compare prices from both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.