Top Ways to Save on Challis Auto Insurance

Nobody I know looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof.

Online insurance companies like GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

It's important to compare rates periodically because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest rates on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

Big city or small town - Living in less populated areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic to deal with and longer commute times. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
Careful drivers pay lower rates - Just one moving violation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who have serious citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Most insurers will give a discount to customers who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
Your job and insurance rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as lawyers, business owners and dentists tend to have the highest average rates because of high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Other occupations like scientists, historians and homemakers receive lower rates.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both well-publicized as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.

Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may earn approximately 10% to 15%.
Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching policies prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
No Accidents - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially as compared to accident-prone drivers.
Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
Drive Less and Save - Driving fewer miles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Sign Online - A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy digitally online.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

To choose companies offering auto insurance discounts in Challis, click here to view.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings if you switch to their company. How can each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don't qualify for the requirements will have to pay higher prices and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, you should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.

Insurance agents can help

When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

What are the best liability limits?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Additional Idaho consumer information

Even more information can be found at the Idaho Department of Insurance website. Idaho consumers can view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about a company, read consumer alerts, and read industry bulletins.

Do the work, save more money

When you buy insurance online, it's a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

You just read some good ideas how you can save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from the least-expected company. Some small companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like .