Best Way to Find the Cheapest Downers Grove Auto Insurance

Finding lower rates for Downers Grove auto insurance is challenging for consumers new to comparison shopping online. People have so many choices that it can quickly become a challenge to compare prices in Downers Grove.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates before your policy renews since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best rates six months ago a different company probably has better rates today. You'll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance online but I'm going to show you some great ways to find cheap auto insurance.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you can get discounts to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time you complete a quote, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings. If you aren't receiving every discount available, you are throwing money away.

  • Senior Discount - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
  • No Accidents - Claim-free drivers pay less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
  • College Student - Any of your kids living away from home attending college and don't have a car may be able to be covered for less.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will reduce your premiums.

Downers Grove auto insurance comparison

Downers Grove Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

  • Men are more aggressive - The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn't mean men are worse drivers. They both cause accidents at a similar rate, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI.
  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Jobs such as real estate brokers, executives and dentists tend to have the highest average rates due to high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Other jobs such as farmers, historians and retirees receive lower rates.
  • Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Vehicles with good safety scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and better occupant protection translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Never allow your policy to lapse - Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage have a gap. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
  • Older drivers pay less - Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel. Teenage drivers have a tendency to be more careless in a vehicle and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
  • Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? - Some auto insurance companies will give a discount to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
  • High numbers of claims are not good - Car insurance companies in Illinois give cheaper rates to insureds who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • A clean driving record saves money - Your driving citation history has a huge affect on how much you pay. Just one ticket can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have dangerous citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to prevent a license revocation.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Illinois drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance by Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you change to their company.

How can each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies can use profiling for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be profiled as a mature driver, is a homeowner, and has a high credit rating. A propective insured who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't measure up to the requirements will have to pay a more expensive rate which leads to business not being written. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That's why companies can truthfully state the savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

Learn more today

Additional information can be read on the Illinois Department of Insurance website found here. Illinois drivers can learn about insurance regulations, read industry bulletins, and find disaster information.

A tidy conclusion

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price.

Insureds leave their current company for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests and even being labeled a high risk driver. Regardless of your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is less work than it seems.

Cheaper auto insurance is attainable on the web and also from your neighborhood Downers Grove agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.