Tightwads Tips for Saving on Fall River Auto Insurance

Are you sick and tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than the majority of other car owners in Wisconsin.

There is such a variety of to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes before your policy renews since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance online but we're going to give you some great ways to find cheap auto insurance.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't list every available discount very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the best known as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.

Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
Employee of Federal Government - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Homeowners Pay Less - Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
No Claims - Claim-free drivers pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.

As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Most only cut individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like it's possible to get free car insurance, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

One company can mean more discounts - Many auto insurance companies give discounts to people who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
An active claims history can cost you - Insurance companies in Wisconsin give lower rates to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Proper usage rating affects rates - Driving more miles every year the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Being married can save on auto insurance - Getting married can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. Marriage usually means you are more responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Occupations like real estate brokers, executives and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates because of high stress levels and lengthy work days. Conversely, occupations like farmers, engineers and performers pay the least.
Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and better occupant protection translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
Big city or small town - Being located in a rural area has it's advantages when buying auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas tend to have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate.
Bump up deductibles to save - Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. The more expense the insured has to pay upfront, the less your company will charge you for insurance.

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

Companies like Allstate and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. All the ads make the same claim about savings after switching your policy. How does each company say the same thing?

All companies can use profiling for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk might be profiled as a mature driver, is a homeowner, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Drivers who don't meet these standards will be charged a higher premium which leads to business not being written. The ad wording is "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's why companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. That is why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Even more information can be read at the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance website. Wisconsin drivers can read consumer alerts, download brochures, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and get help finding coverage.

Do the work, save more money

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, an accident victim reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap auto insurance can be purchased on the web in addition to many Fall River insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.