Buy Low-Cost Foster City Auto Insurance

Expensive auto insurance can empty your personal savings and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparison shopping is a smart way to cut your insurance bill.

Because there are so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be challenging to locate the lowest cost car insurance company.

It's important to check auto insurance prices quite often because prices are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price a few years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding auto insurance online, so we're going to give you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Companies don't always advertise every available discount very well, so we researched both the well known and also the lesser-known auto insurance savings.

  • Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up to age 25.
  • Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
  • Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Accident Waiver - Some insurance companies allow you one accident before your rates go up if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
  • E-sign - Certain companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy online.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

California auto insurance

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether or not you would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in California?
  • Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Companies like State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads in print and on television. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you move to them. But how can every company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk might be between 25 and 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be charged a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. This is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings. That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Even more information is located at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, learn about insurance regulations, download brochures, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in Foster City California.

Foster City auto insurance comparison

Final considerations

We covered a lot of information how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers may even find the most savings is with a small mutual company. Regional companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as .

As you shop your coverage around, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced collision coverage and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.