Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Columbus Car Insurance

Are you tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? You are no different than many other Mississippi drivers.

Lots of contend for your hard-earned dollar, so it's not easy to compare every and uncover the absolute lowest rate

It's important to compare prices once or twice a year because rates are constantly changing. If you had the best deal a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting now, forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you're going to learn the proper way to find lower rates on car insurance.

Save big with these discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you can get discounts to help offset the cost. Most are applied at quote time, but some must be manually applied in order for you to get them.

New Car Discount - Insuring a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
Student Driver Training - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course in high school.
Defensive Driving Course - Completing a driver safety course could save 5% or more if you qualify.
Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Columbus may trigger a car insurance policy discount because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.
No Accidents - Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts as compared to drivers who are more careless.

Keep in mind that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will cut your overall premium however.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating your car insurance rates. Understanding what influences your rates enables informed choices that may reward you with lower car insurance prices.

The list below includes some of the factors car insurance companies consider when setting rates.

The more you drive the more you pay - The more you drive every year the more you will pay for car insurance. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Vehicles left parked in the garage can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Make sure your car insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage, because it can save money.
Frequent car insurance claims increase rates - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Car insurance companies in Mississippi provide better rates to drivers who are claim-free. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder your car from being stolen.
Do you need those extra coverages? - There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your policy. Coverages like roadside assistance, towing coverage and term life insurance are examples of these. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they're wasting money get rid of them and save.
How's your driving record? - Your driving citation history impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Careful drivers receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Just one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who have severe citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
Low deductibles can be expensive - Physical damage insurance, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. Your deductibles are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket before a claim is paid by your company. The more money you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
Rates may be lower depending on your job - Jobs such as doctors, architects and accountants tend to have higher rates than average attributed to high stress and lengthy work days. On the flip side, professions such as farmers, athletes and the unemployed receive lower rates.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Car insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all seem to say the same thing that you can save if you move to their company. How do they all make the same claim?

All companies can use profiling for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a desirable insured could be over the age of 40, has no tickets, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer who fits that profile will get very good rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who fall outside the "perfect" profile will have to pay more money which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's why insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

More Mississippi car insurance information

More information is available on the website for the Mississippi Insurance Department through this link. Consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, view a list of available companies, and discover disciplinary actions.

Shop smart and save

When shopping online for car insurance, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.

Affordable car insurance is possible from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Columbus agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some car insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.