Easy Methods to Save Money on El Dorado Car Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the crazy number of car insurance options in El Dorado? Lot's of other consumers are too. There are so many companies to choose from that it can turn into a ton of work to find the best price.

Finding affordable coverage in El Dorado is not that difficult. If you have a current car insurance policy or need new coverage, you can use these techniques to find better prices and still get good coverage. Arkansas consumers only need to know the tricks to compare rates over the internet.

Compare the Market for Car Insurance in El Dorado

Getting better car insurance pricing can be relatively painless. Consumers just need to spend a little time comparing rate quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

The first (and easiest) way to find the lowest comparison rates is a comparison rater form click here to open form in new window. This type of form saves time by eliminating repetitive form entry for each company. Completing one form gets rate comparisons direct from many companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.

Another way to shop for car insurance online is spending the time to visit the website of each company to complete a price quote. For examples sake, let's assume you want to compare rates from , and . You would have to take the time to go to each 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 El Dorado, click here.

The most time-consuming method to get comparison rates is to drive around to different El Dorado agent offices. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the trained guidance of a licensed agent. It is possible to compare the best prices online but buy from a local insurance agent and we'll talk about that later.

Whichever method you choose, compare identical information for every company. If the quotes have higher or lower deductibles it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best in El Dorado.

You have some control over your rates

It's important that you understand the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to better car insurance rates.

Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like lawyers, social workers and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates because of high stress levels and long work hours. Conversely, occupations like actors, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
Policy add-ons can waste money - There are a ton of extra coverages that can waste your money on your policy. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are some examples. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
Pleasure use saves money - Driving more miles in a year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your car insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Do men or women drive better? - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Men and women have accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get more serious tickets such as reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
How's your driving record? - A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. If you have flagrant violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
Where you reside plays a part - Choosing to live in a small town can save you money when it comes to car insurance. Urban drivers have to deal with traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents.
Older drivers save more - Young drivers in Arkansas are known to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies that sell car insurance don't necessarily list every discount very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the more common as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit possible, you're just leaving money on the table.

No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially when compared to frequent claim filers.
Driver Safety - Taking a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
No Charge for an Accident - Certain companies will forgive one accident without raising rates if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
Discount for Good Grades - Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
New Car Discount - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
Paperwork-free - Some insurance companies will give a small break for buying your policy over the internet.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply the the whole policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So when it seems like you could get a free car insurance policy, you won't be that lucky.

For a list of insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts in Arkansas, click here.

Even more information can be found at the Arkansas Insurance Department website. Consumers can read industry bulletins, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

A tidy conclusion

Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests, delays in paying claims and denial of a claim. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is not as hard as you think.

The cheapest car insurance can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood El Dorado agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers may not provide online quoting and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.