Tightwads Tips for Saving on Douglas Auto Insurance

No one cherishes buying auto insurance, particularly when the cost is way too high. You have multiple to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to have a choice, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to do rate comparisons periodically because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price six months ago you may be paying too much now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate the tricks you need to know to get good coverage at a lower rate.

Douglas Auto Insurance Comparisons

Getting better auto insurance pricing is a fairly straight forward process. Just take a few minutes getting comparison quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be done in several different ways.

The first (and easiest) way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for boring form submissions for each company. Just one form gets rate comparisons from all major companies.

A slightly less efficient method to compare rate quotes is spending the time to visit each company's website and request a quote. For example, let's say you want to compare , and . You would have to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.

To view a list of companies in Douglas, click here.

The most time-consuming method to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to insurance agents' offices. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional advice of a licensed agent. It is possible to compare the best prices online and still use a local agent. We'll cover that shortly.

However you get your quotes, be sure to compare identical information with every price quote. If you compare higher or lower deductibles it will be impossible to find the best deal in Douglas.

Douglas auto insurance comparison

Why some people pay less for insurance in Douglas

It's important that you understand the factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

  • Older drivers save more - Youthful drivers in Massachusetts are known to be more careless behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Adding a youthful driver to your policy can really hurt. Older drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
  • Cautious drivers pay less - Good drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single speeding ticket can increase rates twenty percent or more. Drivers who have flagrant citations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may need to file a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Pleasure use saves money - Driving more miles each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Verify your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
  • Being married is a good thing - Having a spouse can get you a discount on auto insurance. It is viewed as being more mature and it's proven that married couples file fewer claims.

Take advantage of discounts

Car insurance companies do not advertise all their discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • Save with a New Car - Insuring a new car can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
  • Good Student - Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Life Insurance Discount - Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
  • Sign Online - Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
  • Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies will forgive one accident without raising rates as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.

It's important to note that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you're out of luck.

For a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Massachusetts, click here.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Should I buy only the required Massachusetts minimum liability coverage?
  • What are the financial responsibility laws in Massachusetts?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?

If you can't answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, free and can help protect your family.

Additional detailed information can be found at the Massachusetts Division of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and get help finding coverage.

Massachusetts auto insurance

In the end, you save

As you restructure your insurance plan, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford.

We covered a lot of techniques to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Drivers may discover the best prices are with a small local company. Smaller companies often have lower prices on specific markets than their larger competitors like .

Lower-priced auto insurance can be purchased both online and with local Douglas insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not offer online quoting and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.