7 Ways to Save on Car Insurance in Butler

I can't think of a single person who likes having to buy car insurance, especially when the price is too high.

You have so many to pick from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to price shop coverage periodically since rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we're going to show you the proper way to lower your annual insurance bill.

These seven discounts can lower your rates

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some trigger automatically when you get a quote, but some must be asked about before you will receive the discount.

Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
Good Student - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
College Student - Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Organization Discounts - Belonging to a qualifying organization may earn a discount on car insurance.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for a substantially lower rate.
Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

It's important to note that some credits don't apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, you're out of luck. But any discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose companies who offer car insurance discounts in New Jersey, click here.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Car insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads on television and other media. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save after switching your policy. How does each company make the same claim?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Drivers who are not a match for these standards will have to pay higher premiums and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads state "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should compare many company's rates. It's just too difficult to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Different people need different coverages

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a "perfect" insurance plan. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you would benefit from an agent's advice.

What are the best liability limits?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in New Jersey?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?

If you can't answer these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

More information is available on the website for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance through this link. Consumers can view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include Wikipedia and this Butler agent directory.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the savings was not a smart move. The ultimate goal is to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate.

You just learned a lot of ways to save on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the most savings is with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Some small companies often have lower prices on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as .