Proven Ways to Save on Cambridge Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, there are many people just like you.

There are many to pick from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, it makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to check auto insurance prices every six months since insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best rates last year a different company probably has better rates today. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance on the web, but we're going to give you some great ways to find cheap auto insurance.

This information will help educate you on the most effective way to quote insurance and some tips to save money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. Although Maryland vehicle owners do need to know the way insurance companies sell insurance online.

These discounts can lower your rates

Car insurance is not cheap, but there are discounts available that you may not even be aware of. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be asked for prior to receiving the credit.

  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner can save you money because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
  • Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last until age 25.
  • New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
  • Low Mileage - Driving fewer miles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

Cambridge auto insurance quote

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are some of the items companies use to determine your rates.

  • Multiple policies with one company can save - Most insurance companies give discounts to people who consolidate policies with them in the form of 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. You may still be able to find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage from fire, and rolling your vehicle. The deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. The more expense you're willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
  • A clean driving record saves money - Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even a single ticket can increase rates twenty percent or more. Good drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year the higher your rates will be. Most companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
  • Keep rates low by being claim-free - Insurance companies in Maryland generally give lower rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
  • Extra coverages can waste money - There are many extra coverages you can purchase if you aren't careful. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, better glass coverage and motor club memberships are some examples. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but if you don't need them eliminate them to save money.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you switch to them. How does each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk might be profiled as a mature driver, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will be charged higher prices and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save money. That's the way companies can truthfully claim big savings.

That is why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about Maryland auto insurance

Additional information can be read on the website for the Maryland Insurance Administration located here. Maryland drivers can read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, file complaints about a company, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Also read more on BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this Cambridge agent directory.

Do the work, save more money

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, someone sacrificed collision coverage and discovered at claim time 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.

The cheapest auto insurance is available on the web and with local Cambridge insurance agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of ways to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Drivers may discover the best price on auto insurance is with the least-expected company. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than the large multi-state companies such as .