Tightwads Guide for Saving on Bunnell Auto Insurance

Sick and tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as many other drivers in Florida. Big-name insurance companies like GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with ad campaigns and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It's important to do rate comparisons once or twice a year because prices are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates last year a different company probably has better rates today. So just forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or need new coverage, you can learn to get lower rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Bunnell is easy if you know what you're doing. Florida vehicle owners just need to know the proper way to compare company rates over the internet.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't always list every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both well-publicized as well as the least known auto insurance savings. If you aren't receiving every discount available, you are throwing money away.

Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get reduced rates.
Accident Free - Claim-free drivers can save substantially compared to drivers who are more careless.
Multiple Vehicles - Buying insurance for multiple vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Military Rewards - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.
Homeowners Pay Less - Being a homeowner may trigger a auto insurance policy discount due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
E-sign - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up digitally online.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies don't profit that way.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Bunnell

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine your rates.

Multiple policies with one company can save - Many companies give discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal. You may still find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Driving a car with an alarm system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder your car from being stolen.
Men pay higher rates - The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. Women and men have accidents in similar percentages, but men have costlier accidents. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations like lawyers, architects and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates because of stressful work requirements and lengthy work days. Other occupations like farmers, historians and performers have the lowest average rates.
Low deductibles can be expensive - Insurance for physical damage to your car, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims could be a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. Your deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. The higher the amount you're willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
Your credit rating is important - Your credit history is a important factor in your rate calculation. If your credit history is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
Safer cars cost less to insure - Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. Safer cars result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.

Is there truth in advertising?

Florida consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like Allstate and Progressive. All the ads say the same thing that you'll save big after switching to them.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't measure up to the requirements will be charged a higher premium which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's why companies can claim big savings. That is why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

More detailed Florida auto insurance information can be found at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website. Florida consumers can read consumer alerts, view a list of available companies, learn about insurance regulations, and read industry bulletins.

Best coverage at the best price

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that it was a big mistake. The aim is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Discount auto insurance can be bought online and with local Bunnell insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.