Easy Tips to Pay Less on Goose Creek Auto Insurance

Saving money on Goose Creek auto insurance is nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. Drivers have so many options that it can be a lot of work to compare prices in Goose Creek.

It's important to compare rates before your policy renews because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate how to use online quotes to find better coverage at a better price.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

  • Women pay lower rates - The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Women and men tend to get into accidents in similar numbers, but the males have costlier accidents. They also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
  • Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as judges, executives and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates attributed to high stress levels and lengthy work days. Conversely, professions such as farmers, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
  • Discounts for married couples - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. It means you're more responsible and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Do you need those extra coverages? - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, towing coverage and term life insurance may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment at first, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
  • Teen drivers pay high rates - Teen drivers in South Carolina are known to be more careless in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
  • Traffic violations increase rates - Your driving citation history has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Just one citation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who have flagrant citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
  • Liability coverage is cheap - Liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It will provide legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Bump up deductibles to save - Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply could be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. The more you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.

Goose Creek auto insurance comparison

Compare Goose Creek Auto Insurance Costs

Reducing your insurance rates can be relatively painless. You just have to spend a few minutes on the computer to compare rate quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The fastest way to find the lowest comparison rates is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This form keeps you from doing separate quotation requests for every auto insurance company. In just a few minutes this one form gets you price quotes from auto insurance companies with the best prices. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
  2. A less efficient way to get quotes online requires visiting each company's website and fill out their own quote form. For instance, let's say you want rates from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Goose Creek, click here.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just ensure you're using identical quote information for each comparison quote. If you use mixed coverages it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate in Goose Creek.

Save big with these discounts

Car insurance companies don't always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so we researched both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If you're not getting every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
  • No Accidents - Claim-free drivers pay much less as compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Sign Online - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy over the internet.
  • Driver Safety - Completing a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • Discount for New Cars - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
  • Good Students Pay Less - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like it's possible to get free car insurance, you won't be that lucky.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in South Carolina, click this link.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

South Carolina consumers can't ignore all the ads for the lowest price auto insurance by Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make the same claim about savings after switching to their company.

How does each company make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured could possibly be over the age of 50, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. A driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when switching.

Consumers who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher prices which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's why companies can truthfully claim big savings. Because of the profiling, you need to get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict the company that will give you the biggest savings.

Even more information is located at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

A tidy conclusion

When trying to cut insurance costs, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate.

Insureds change insurance companies for many reasons like denial of a claim, high rates after DUI convictions, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even delays in responding to claim requests. Whatever your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is easier than you think.

Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood Goose Creek agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.