Tightwads Tips for Saving on Hayes Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, there are many Hayes consumers feeling the pinch from expensive auto insurance.

There is such a variety of to pick from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

Finding the best rates in Hayes is easy if you know what you're doing. Just about every driver who is required by state law to have auto insurance will be able to lower their premiums. But Virginia vehicle owners do need to know the way insurance companies market insurance on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to big savings.

Your stress level may be raising your rates - Careers like judges, social workers and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates attributed to stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, occupations such as actors, engineers and retirees pay the least.
Safer cars are cheaper to insure - Vehicles with good safety scores get lower rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and better occupant protection means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are quite a few extra coverages that can waste your money if you aren't careful. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and membership fees are some examples. They may seem like a good idea at first, but your needs may have changed so eliminate them to save money.
The more you drive the more you pay - The higher the mileage driven in a year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Cars not used for work or commuting receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Always keep insurance in force - Not having insurance can get your license suspended and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance lapse. And not only will your rates increase, but not being able to provide proof of insurance might get you a license revocation or jail time.You may need to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the Virginia motor vehicle department.
Liability coverage is peace of mind - Your policy's liability coverage provides coverage when a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.
Car features impact rates - Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart auto theft.

These discounts can lower your rates

Companies that sell car insurance don't list every discount very clearly, so we researched some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay much less when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Low Mileage Discounts - Low mileage vehicles could be rewarded with a substantially lower rate.
Safety Course Discount - Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
New Vehicle Savings - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Seat Belt Usage - Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Organization Discounts - Affiliation with a qualifying organization may earn a discount when shopping for auto insurance.
Military Discounts - Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if offered at their school.

Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So when the math indicates having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don't profit that way.

To choose insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Virginia, click here.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO consistently run ads on television and other media. They all have a common claim that you'll save big if you change your policy. How does each company say the same thing?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer might be profiled as a mature driver, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will get very good rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for these standards will be quoted higher rates and this can result in business not being written. The ads say "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why you should get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Find out more about auto insurance

More detailed Virginia auto insurance information is located at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Virginia drivers can read industry bulletins, find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in Virginia and this list of insurance agents in Hayes.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Discount auto insurance is attainable on the web in addition to many Hayes insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies do not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.