Best Way to Find Low-Cost Charleston Auto Insurance

If shopping for auto insurance online is new to you, it's easy to be confused by the vast number of auto insurance companies offering coverage in Charleston.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates periodically because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best price a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the proper way to find better coverage at a better price.

Charleston Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get big savings.

What type of vehicle do you drive? - The type of car you drive makes a substantial difference in how high your rates are. The most favorable rates are usually for economy passenger cars, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
Traffic violations increase rates - Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers receive lower rates than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
With age comes lower rates - Teen drivers in Arkansas are statistically proven to be less responsible behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Adding a youthful driver to your auto insurance policy can be quite pricey. Older drivers tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and get fewer tickets.
What are your deductibles? - Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply could be colliding with a building, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. Deductibles for physical damage are the amount of money you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.

These discounts can lower your rates

Car insurance companies do not list every available discount very well, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using.

Early Signing - A few companies offer discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may qualify for better auto insurance rates.
Multi-car Discount - Buying coverage for more than one vehicle with the same company could earn a price break for each car.
Theft Prevention System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

It's important to note that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, you're out of luck.

To choose providers offering auto insurance discounts in Arkansas, click here to view.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you switch to their company. But how can every company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Consumers who are not a match for this ideal profile will be charged higher rates and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. That is why you should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Different people need different coverages

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different.

For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you will benefit from professional help.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
Am I covered by my employer's commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?

If you're not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form.

Additional Arkansas consumer information

Additional detailed information can be found at the Arkansas Insurance Department website. Arkansas consumers can learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Other informative sites include III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in Charleston Arkansas.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

In this article, we presented many tips how you can save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from an unexpected company.

Lower-priced auto insurance is available online and also from your neighborhood Charleston agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, don't be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.