How to Know You're Throwing Money Away for Auto Insurance in Calais

Are you sick and tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than most other car owners in Maine.

Drivers have multiple to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates last year you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance online but I'm going to show you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Calais is easy if you know what you're doing. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. But Maine drivers do need to know the way companies price insurance differently.

Calais Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

The following are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

The more you drive the more you pay - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
High numbers of claims are not good - Car insurance companies in Maine award lower rates to people who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Pay less if you're married - Getting married can get you a discount on your policy. It means you're more mature than a single person and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
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. They both cause accidents at a similar rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as real estate brokers, business owners and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates attributed to stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, jobs such as farmers, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
Special features that cut premiums - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder car theft.
Better crash test results mean better rates - Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. These vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
Don't sacrifice liability coverage - Liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Auto insurance companies don't always list all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using.

Discount for New Cars - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Sign Online - A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles with the same company could earn a price break for each car.
Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
No Accidents - Claim-free drivers pay less as compared to accident-prone drivers.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if it's offered in school.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Organization Discounts - Participating in a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on auto insurance.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn't make money that way.

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

The auto insurance bait and switch

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to make an identical promise that you'll save big after switching to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. A good example of a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't measure up to these standards will have to pay a higher premium and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That's why companies can claim big savings. Because of the profiling, you should quote coverage with many companies. It's impossible to know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more today

More detailed Maine auto insurance information can be read at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Maine consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, get help finding coverage, and learn about insurance regulations.

Shop smart and save

When trying to cut insurance costs, never buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, an accident victim reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be purchased online and also from your neighborhood Calais agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.