Tightwads Guide for Saving on Carterville Car Insurance

Are you sick and tired of paying out the nose each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as many other drivers in Illinois.

Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with advertising and it can be hard to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

It's important to do rate comparisons before your policy renews because rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates last year you will most likely find a better rate today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding car insurance online but we're going to give you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Carterville is easy if you know what you're doing. But Illinois car owners do need to know the methods companies use to sell online.

How much can you save with discounts?

Car insurance can cost a lot, but you may find discounts that you may not know about. Most are applied when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be asked for before being credited.

  • Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
  • Accident Free - Claim-free drivers pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Belonging to a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy.
  • Military Rewards - Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Discount for Swiching Early - A few companies offer discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
  • Theft Prevention System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Low Mileage - Low mileage vehicles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class if offered at their school.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
  • 55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive reduced rates.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

Illinois car insurance

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate consistently run television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise that you'll save big if you change to them. How can each company make the same claim?

All the different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk could be over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and has great credit. A customer who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don't meet the requirements will be charged higher prices and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's why companies can advertise the savings.

That is why you should compare as many rates as you can. Because you never know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more today

Much more information about car insurance in Illinois can be read on the website for the Illinois Department of Insurance through this link. Consumers can find out industry alerts, read industry bulletins, find out which companies have the most complaints, and find disaster information.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

We just showed you some good ideas how you can reduce car insurance prices online. It's most important to understand that the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the lowest premiums are with an unexpected company. Regional companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like .

Budget-conscious car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and with local Carterville insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.