How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Car Insurance in Granville

Having to pay for overpriced car insurance can empty your savings account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparison shopping is free and is an excellent way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

There are many to pick from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, it makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to check car insurance prices yearly due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because we're going to demonstrate one of the easiest ways to find great coverage at a great price.

This information will teach you the best way to quote coverages. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Although Illinois consumers do need to know how companies determine prices because it can help you find the best coverage.

These discounts can lower your rates

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically when you quote, but less common discounts must be manually applied prior to getting the savings.

Accident Waiver - Certain companies permit an accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a set time period.
Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Pay Upfront and Save - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Air Bag Discount - Factory air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course in high school.
Accident Free - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less as compared to drivers who are more careless.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

Being married can save on car insurance - Having a wife or husband actually saves money on your car insurance policy. It is viewed as being more responsible and it's statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
More miles equals more premium - The more you drive in a year's time the more you will pay for car insurance. Most companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your car insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Special features that cut premiums - Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Anti-theft devices like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping your vehicle from being stolen.
Where you reside plays a part - Residing in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when talking about car insurance. Drivers in populated areas tend to have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer drivers means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
Older drivers pay less - Youthful drivers in Illinois tend to be more careless when driving so they pay higher car insurance rates. If you've ever had to add a teen driver to your policy can be very expensive. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions can help discover whether you would benefit from an agent's advice.

I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Car insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive regularly use ads on television and other media. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you move to them. How does each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any driver who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will have to pay a higher premium which leads to the customer not buying. The ads state "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save money. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Learn more about car insurance in Illinois

Additional information is located on the website for the Illinois Department of Insurance through this link. Visitors are able to get help finding coverage, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, view a list of available companies, and view agent and company licensing information.

Also read more on this site for Illinois car insurance information and see this list of insurance agents in Granville.

Affordable insurance is out there

The cheapest car insurance is possible both online and with local Granville insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. Some car insurance companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

When shopping online for car insurance, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate.