Buy Cheap Cedar Rapids Car Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced car insurance can empty your checking account and make it impossible to make ends meet. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to make sure you're not throwing money away.

You have so many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to shop coverage around quite often due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because we're going to demonstrate the tricks you need to know to find better coverage at a better price.

Buying car insurance in Cedar Rapids is quite easy. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Nevertheless, Iowa consumers do need to know how companies price insurance differently and apply this information to your search.

Save big with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always publicize every available discount very clearly, so we took the time to find both the well known and the more hidden car insurance savings.

  • Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Resident Student - Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Larger companies have a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
  • E-sign - A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing over the internet.
  • Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.

It's important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn't quite work that way.

Iowa car insurance

Tips to Get Lower Cedar Rapids Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get big savings.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" used by your company to calculate your rates.

  • Bad driving skills means higher rates - Drivers who don't get tickets receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Just one citation can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who get flagrant violations like DUI or reckless driving may be required to file a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Older drivers pay less - Youthful drivers in Iowa are known to be less responsible when driving so they pay higher car insurance rates. Parents adding a youthful driver onto a policy can be quite pricey. More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
  • The more you drive the more you pay - Driving more miles in a year's time the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your car insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
  • Marriage pays dividends - Having a spouse can get you a discount when buying car insurance. Marriage translates into being more mature and responsible and it's statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Do men or women drive better? - Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. They both tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but men have costlier accidents. Men also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Iowa?
  • Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
  • What are the financial responsibility laws in Iowa?
  • Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
  • Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
  • Do I qualify for additional discounts?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Companies like State Farm and Allstate continually stream ads on TV and radio. All the ads say the same thing of big savings after switching your coverage to them. How does each company claim to save you money?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk might be between 25 and 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. Any driver who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who fall outside these standards will be charged a higher premium which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. This is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. That is why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. You cannot predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

More sites with car insurance information

More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the Iowa Insurance Division website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and get help finding coverage.

Cedar Rapids car insurance comparison

Affordable insurance is out there

We just presented many ways to reduce car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with an unexpected company. Regional companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than their larger competitors like .

When you buy insurance online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Low-cost car insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents in Cedar Rapids, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.