Car Insurance in De Witt - 10 Ways to Save Money

Nobody I know likes having to buy car insurance, especially when the cost is too high. Having so many car insurance companies to choose from, it can be hard to locate the most affordable insurance company.

It's important to price shop coverage periodically since rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates last year you will most likely find a better rate today. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding car insurance online, so we're going to give you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every available discount very well, so the following is a list of some of the more common as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using. If you don't get every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

Early Switch Discount - Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. It's a savings of about 10%.
Good Student - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
Anti-lock Brake System - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Theft Prevention Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
Resident Student - Kids in college living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
Driver's Ed - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class if it's offered in school.

It's important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, you're out of luck.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is no "perfect" insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help highlight whether or not you might need an agent's assistance.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Should I buy only the required New York minimum liability coverage?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?

If you're not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can help protect your family.

Is there truth in advertising?

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from companies such as State Farm and Allstate. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save after switching your policy.

But how can every company make the same claim?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and drives newer vehicles. Any new insured who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be charged higher rates and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can claim big savings. That is why you should get quotes from several different companies. It's just too difficult to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional New York consumer information

Additional detailed information can be read at the New York Department of Financial Services website. Consumers can learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, view agent and company licensing information, and find out industry alerts.

Also read more on III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in De Witt New York.

A tidy conclusion

You just learned some good ideas how you can reduce car insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest rates come from the least-expected company. Regional companies often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like .

When trying to cut insurance costs, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where someone dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.