How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Hampden

Scraping up a payment for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your personal savings and put the squeeze on your family's finances. Doing a price comparison is free and is an excellent way to lower your monthly bill.

There is such a variety of to buy insurance from, and although it's a good thing to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes quite often because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates last year you will most likely find a better rate today. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance on the internet, so I'm going to show you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

This information will help you learn the most effective way to quote insurance and some tips to save money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using these methods. But Massachusetts consumers do need to know the way insurance companies sell online.

Save big with these discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be asked for before you will receive the discount.

Sign Online - A few companies may give you up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a discount up to 10%.
Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Own a Home - Owning a house in Hampden may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
Military Discounts - Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Passive Restraints - Factory air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings on auto insurance.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will bring down your overall premium however.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
Am I covered by my employer's commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make the same claim that you'll save big if you change your policy. How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be a mature driver, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when switching.

Potential insureds who fall outside these standards will have to pay more money which leads to the customer not buying. The ads state "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. This is how companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

More sites with auto insurance information

Much more information about auto insurance in Massachusetts can be read on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to get help finding coverage, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and report car insurance fraud.

Do the work, save more money

Discount auto insurance can be sourced both online in addition to many Hampden insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

As you prepare to switch companies, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, drivers have reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price.