Tightwads Tips for Saving on Concord Auto Insurance

Are you sick and tired of scraping the payment together each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than many other California consumers. You have so many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to shop coverage around once or twice a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance online but I'm going to show you some great ways to find cheap auto insurance.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't list all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If you're not getting every credit available, you are throwing money away.

Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Concord may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
Payment Method - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
One Accident Forgiven - Certain companies permit an accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims prior to the accident.
Auto/Life Discount - Some companies give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.

It's important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you're out of luck.

Tips to Get Lower Concord Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Discounts for married couples - Getting married can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. It translates into being more mature and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
More miles equals more premium - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies apply a rate based on their usage. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Little extras can really add up - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good at first, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Many auto insurance companies will give a discount to customers who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you may still want to compare other company rates to verify if the discount is saving money. You may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
High crash test scores lower rates - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as real estate brokers, executives and financial analysts have higher average rates attributed to high stress and lengthy work days. Conversely, professions such as farmers, engineers and performers get better rates.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

California consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to make the same claim that you can save after switching your coverage to them.

How does each company make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured could possibly be a mature driver, has no tickets, and has great credit. A driver who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't qualify for these standards will have to pay a more expensive rate which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. That's why insurance companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Additional detailed information can be read at the California Department of Insurance website. California consumers can get help finding coverage, view a list of available companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and discover disciplinary actions.

Also read more on this page for California auto insurance and this page for help finding agents in Concord, CA.

Best coverage at the best price

Lower-priced auto insurance can be sourced online as well as from independent agents in Concord, and you need to price shop 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 most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, an insured dropped collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate.