Proven Techniques to Save on Derby Auto Insurance

Are you sick and tired of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than many other Kansas consumers. You have so many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

Finding affordable coverage in Derby is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Kansas consumers only need to know the most effective way to compare prices over the internet.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies don't necessarily list every discount very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the best known as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance. If you're not getting every credit available, you're paying more than you need to.

  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
  • New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Claim Free - Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared to bad drivers.
  • Driver Safety - Successfully completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
  • Good Students Pay Less - A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Kansas, click this link.

Cheap Derby Auto Insurance Comparisons

There are several ways you can shop for auto insurance but there is one way that is easier and takes less work. You can waste a lot of time talking to insurance agencies in Derby, or you could save time and use online quoting to get prices fast.

Many insurance companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each company returns a competitive quote. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms for each company you want a rate for.

To submit your quote information now, click to open in new window.

One minor caviat to getting quotes like this is you are unable to specify which carriers to get quotes from. So if you prefer to pick from a list of companies to compare rates, we put together a list of auto insurance companies in Kansas. Click to view list.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just ensure you're using identical information for every quote you compare. If you are comparing higher or lower deductibles it's not possible to determine the best price in Derby.

Tips to Get Lower Derby Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" used by your company to calculate prices.

  • Always keep insurance in force - Having an insurance coverage lapse will be a guaranteed way to bump up your auto insurance costs. Not only will rates go up, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Kansas DMV.
  • Keep rates low by being claim-free - Companies in Kansas give lower rates to insureds who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Where you reside plays a part - Being located in small towns and rural areas can save you money when buying auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people living in that area means a lower chance of having an accident.
  • Rate your vehicle for proper use - Driving more miles every year the higher your rate. Almost all companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
  • Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like lawyers, executives and financial analysts have higher average rates because of high stress levels and long work days. Conversely, occupations like farmers, engineers and performers get better rates.
  • Don't get talked into coverage you don't need - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money if you aren't careful. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
  • A clean driving record saves money - A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even one moving violation can bump up the cost forty percent or more. Drivers who don't get tickets have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations like DUI or reckless driving may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to keep their license.
  • Being married can save on auto insurance - Having a spouse can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. Having a significant other translates into being more responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Kansas drivers can't get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim about savings after switching your coverage to them.

How does each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of customer that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as a mature driver, is a homeowner, and has a short commute. A propective insured who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don't meet these standards will be quoted higher prices which leads to business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's why companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings. This emphasizes why drivers must compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

In the end, you save

As you shop your coverage around, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

The cheapest auto insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents in Derby, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers don't offer the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

Learn more today

Even more information can be found at the Kansas Insurance Department website. Kansas drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, download brochures, view agent and company licensing information, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Additional helpful sites include this site for auto insurance information in Kansas and this list of agents in Derby, KS.