How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Central

I can't think of a single person who likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much.

With so many choices, it is hard for the average consumer to pick the lowest price company.

Buying car insurance in Central is quite easy. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using these methods. Nevertheless, South Carolina vehicle owners do need to know the methods companies use to determine prices.

Save big with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always publicize every discount very well, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

  • Federal Employees - Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Theft Prevention System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Lower Rates for Military - Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.
  • Pay Upfront and Save - By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you could save up to 5%.
  • Driver's Ed - Have your child successfully complete driver's ed class in high school.
  • Paperwork-free - A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 simply for signing online.
  • Defensive Driving Course - Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
  • Air Bag Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of up to 25% or more.

Consumers should know that some credits don't apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don't profit that way.

To see a list of insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in South Carolina, click here.

Finding Auto Insurance in Central, SC

There are several ways of comparing rate quotes from different Central insurance companies. The best method to find the cheapest insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  • The best way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form saves time by eliminating a different quote to each individual auto insurance company. A single form will return price quotes .
  • A less efficient way to get quotes online consists of visiting the website of each company to complete a price quote. For sake of this example, we'll pretend you want to compare , and . To find out each rate you need to spend time on each company's site to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Central, click here.

Whichever method you choose, make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits with each company. If you enter different values for each quote it will be next to impossible to make an equal comparison in Central. Slightly different coverage limits can result in a big premium difference. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that comparing a large number of companies provides better odds of finding better pricing.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The list below includes some of the items used by your company to calculate prices.

  • More claims means more premium - Companies in South Carolina generally give discounts to policyholders who do not file claims often. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
  • One company can mean more discounts - The majority of insurance companies provide better rates to people who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you may still want to compare rates to verify if the discount is saving money.
  • Save money with special equipment - Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system can help prevent auto theft.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance - The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you when a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. It will provide you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions might point out if your situation could use an agent's help.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
  • Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?

If you can't answer these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all have a common claim of big savings if you move your coverage to them. But how can every company say the same thing?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as over the age of 40, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who fall outside this ideal profile will be quoted more money and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why drivers must get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Affordable insurance is out there

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where an insured cut collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Cost effective auto insurance is possible on the web as well as from independent agents in Central, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies don't offer the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

Central auto insurance quote

For more South Carolina car insurance information

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina drivers can download brochures, read consumer alerts, view a list of available companies, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Additional helpful sites include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in South Carolina and this list of insurance agents in Central.