Tightwads Guide to Saving on George West Auto Insurance

No one likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are too high.

With so many auto insurance companies to choose from, it can be hard to locate the best insurance company.

It's important to price shop coverage periodically since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest price last year a different company probably has better rates today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to learn the only way to get good coverage at a lower rate.

Finding affordable coverage in George West is quite easy. If you have car insurance now, you will be able to cut costs considerably using this information. Nevertheless, Texas vehicle owners do need to know the way companies price online insurance because it can help you find the best coverage.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies don't always publicize every available discount very well, so we researched some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
  • Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
  • Driver's Ed - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in school.
  • Low Mileage - Driving fewer miles could be rewarded with a substantially lower rate.
  • No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents pay much less compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • E-sign - Certain companies give back up to $50 simply for signing online.
  • Multi-car Discount - Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.

It's important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Just because you may think it's possible to get free car insurance, it doesn't quite work that way.

Texas auto insurance

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces that factor into your rates.

  • The type of vehicle makes a difference - The type of car you drive makes a significant difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are for economy passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
  • Traffic citations inflate rates - Even a single citation may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Better credit scores mean better rates - Your credit score is a important factor in determining your rates. If your credit is lower than you'd like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than drivers with poor credit.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - Most insurance companies give discounts to people who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you still need to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions may help highlight whether or not you might need an agent's assistance.

  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
  • Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?

If you can't answer these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Is there truth in advertising?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads have a common claim of big savings if you switch your policy. But how can every company say the same thing?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be charged higher rates and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. That is why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

More tips and info about auto insurance is located at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, find out industry alerts, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in George West Texas.

Texas auto insurance

Do the work, save more money

In this article, we covered a lot of techniques to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from a small local company. Regional companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like .

As you prepare to switch companies, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where someone dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.