6 Ways to Save on Car Insurance in Cottonwood

If you're new to shopping for car insurance online, it's easy to be confused by the vast number of car insurance companies competing for business in Cottonwood.

It's important to shop coverage around occasionally since rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal a year ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we're going to show you the proper way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Cottonwood, CA

The are a couple different ways to get quotes from different Cottonwood insurance companies. One of the best ways to find competitive insurance rates consists of shopping online. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

The fastest way to find low rates is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for each company. A single form will get you rate comparisons from multiple companies. Just one form and you're done.
A more time consuming way to shop for car insurance online requires you to visit the website for each individual company to complete a price quote. For sake of this example, let's say you want to compare , and . You would have to spend time on each company's site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Cottonwood, click here.
The least recommended method to get comparison rates is driving around to insurance agents' offices. Shopping for car insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you require the trained guidance of a licensed agent. However, consumers can find lower rates online but buy from a local insurance agent and we'll cover that in a bit.

It's up to you which method you use, but make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples coverage information with each company. If each company quotes unequal deductibles or liability limits it's impossible to make an equal comparison in Cottonwood. Quoting even small variations in coverages may result in large price differences. And when quoting car insurance, remember that comparing more company's prices gives you a better chance of getting the best offered rates.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Car insurance companies do not list all their discounts very well, so here is a list both the well known 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 10% to 20% off each policy.
Anti-lock Brake System - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
Good Student - This discount can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance from them.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, car insurance companies aren't that generous.

To choose companies who offer car insurance discounts in California, click here to view.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Car insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings after switching your coverage to them. But how can every company claim to save you money?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has excellent credit. Any new insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for this ideal profile will have to pay more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims. Because of the profiling, you need to get as many comparisons as possible. It's just too difficult to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Insurance agents can help

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no "best" method to buy coverage. Everyone's situation is a little different.

For example, these questions might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in California?
Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
Should I buy only the required California minimum liability coverage?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?

If you're not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Even more information is available at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to view agent and company licensing information, read consumer alerts, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Other informative sites include Wikipedia and this Cottonwood agent directory.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

While you're price shopping online, don't be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to find out they didn't purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford.

We just covered some good ideas how you can compare car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even find the most savings is with some of the lesser-known companies.

Cheap car insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents in Cottonwood, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies don't offer online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.