Car Insurance in Hazel Crest - 5 Discounts You Might be Losing Out On

Buying the most affordable Hazel Crest car insurance on the web is intimidating for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. Since there are so many online companies, how can consumers have a chance to compare every company to locate the best pricing?

It's important to shop coverage around quite often since rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest rates two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting right now, ignore everything you know about car insurance because we're going to show you the tricks you need to know to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Are you getting all your discounts?

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts that many people don't even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be specially asked for before you get the savings.

Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
College Student - Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
Theft Prevention System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more.
Multi-car Discount - Buying coverage for more than one vehicle on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Drive Less and Save - Driving fewer miles can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.

As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, car insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will cut the cost of coverage.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no "perfect" insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For instance, these questions may help you determine whether you might need professional guidance.

When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
What are Illinois no-fault laws?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

How can GEICO, State Farm and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Car insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you switch your coverage to them. How do they all make the same claim?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could be between 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and chooses high deductibles. Any new insured who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who are not a match for the "perfect" profile will have to pay a higher premium which leads to business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully state the savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

More sites with car insurance information

Additional information can be found on the Illinois Department of Insurance website located here. Consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and read consumer alerts.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

When buying insurance coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford.

Cheap car insurance can be found from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Hazel Crest, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Insureds switch companies for a number of reasons such as delays in paying claims, not issuing a premium refund, policy cancellation and even lack of trust in their agent. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.