Getting the Cheapest Harwood Heights Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say there are many Harwood Heights consumers feeling the pinch from expensive auto insurance. Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive promote their brand names with ad campaigns and it can be hard to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

It's important to compare prices at least once a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best deal last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So just block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the proper way to find lower rates on auto insurance.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

  • Traffic violations increase rates - Your driving record has a huge affect on how much you pay. Even a single speeding ticket can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Vehicles with high crash test scores tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars reduce injuries and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Do you have enough liability coverage? - Your policy's liability coverage provides coverage in the event that a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. Liability is cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Save money with special equipment - Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are quite a few extra coverages you can purchase on your auto insurance policy. Insurance for personal injury protection, better glass coverage and term life insurance may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they're wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Males pay more for insurance - Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn't mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes cause accidents at about the same rate, but men tend to have more serious accidents. Men also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - Some auto insurance companies give discounts to customers who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even with this discount, you may still want to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. Drivers may still find a better deal by splitting coverages up.

Illinois auto insurance

Comprehensive Harwood Heights Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

There are multiple methods to compare auto insurance prices but some are less time-consuming than others. You can spend your afternoon driving to insurance companies in Harwood Heights, or you can utilize the web to get rates in a matter of minutes.

Most of the larger companies enroll in a system that enables customers to submit one quote, and every company can provide price quotes for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The only downside to using this type of form is you cannot specify which providers you will receive quotes from. So if you want to select from a list of companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of low cost auto insurance companies in Illinois. Click here to view list.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just compare exactly the same quote information with each company. If you use mixed coverages it will be impossible to make an equal comparison in Harwood Heights.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Car insurance companies don't list every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If you aren't receiving every discount possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts up to 30%.
  • Low Mileage - Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Organization Discounts - Participating in a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings on your policy.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver's ed class if offered at their school.
  • No Charge for an Accident - A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a set time period.

Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn't work that way.

To choose providers with discount auto insurance rates in Harwood Heights, click this link.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Illinois consumers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings by State Farm and Allstate. All the ads make the same claim that you can save if you change to their company.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. An example of a preferred risk could possibly be between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and has great credit. A driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to the requirements will be charged more money which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That's the way insurance companies can advertise the savings. That is why you need to get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional detailed information is available at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois consumers can file complaints about a company, find disaster information, find out which companies have the most complaints, and view a list of available companies.

auto insurance in Harwood Heights

Best coverage at the best price

In this article, we presented many ideas to compare auto insurance prices online. It's most important to understand that the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the most savings is with an unexpected company. These smaller insurers can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as .

Affordable auto insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood Harwood Heights agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.