Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Gauley Bridge Auto Insurance

Sick and tired of scraping the payment together each month for car insurance? You are no different than many other West Virginia consumers. Lots of contend for your insurance dollar, so it's not easy to compare every to get the lowest price

If you have a current auto insurance policy or are shopping for new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding the best rates in Gauley Bridge is easy if you know what you're doing. West Virginia vehicle owners just need to know how to buy auto insurance over the internet.

Tips to Get Lower Gauley Bridge Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

The following are some of the factors used by your company to calculate premiums.

  • Liability coverage is peace of mind - Liability coverage will protect you if a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Auto insurance companies in West Virginia give better rates to people who do not file claims often. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Proper usage rating affects rates - Driving more miles every year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage can get a lower rate than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.
  • Traffic violations increase rates - Whether or not you get tickets impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Only having one speeding ticket can bump up the cost forty percent or more. Drivers who don't get tickets have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers with flagrant tickets such as DUI or reckless driving are required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
  • Policy add-ons can waste money - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that you can get tricked into buying on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, accidental death and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so get rid of them and save.
  • Theft deterrents lower rates - Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
  • With age comes lower rates - Mature drivers are more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and get fewer tickets. Teen drivers are known to be careless and easily distracted in a vehicle therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both well-publicized as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance. If they aren't giving you every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Organization Discounts - Participating in certain professional organizations could trigger savings when buying auto insurance.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles equipped with air bags can get savings of more than 20%.
  • Driver Safety - Completing a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver's education if it's offered in school.
  • Student in College - Any of your kids who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies don't profit that way.

To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Gauley Bridge, click this link.

How can Allstate, GEICO and Progressive save drivers who switch?

West Virginia consumers can't ignore all the ads for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies make the same claim that you'll save big after switching your coverage to them.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and has a high credit rating. A driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who are not a match for the "perfect" profile must pay higher premiums which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much money. That's why companies can state the savings. This illustrates why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

More detailed West Virginia auto insurance information is available at the West Virginia Insurance Commission website. West Virginia consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, download brochures, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find disaster information.

In the end, you save

Discount auto insurance can be purchased online as well as from independent agents in Gauley Bridge, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, never buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.