How to Get Cheap Heber Springs Car Insurance

Comparison shopping for Heber Springs car insurance is difficult for consumers not familiar with comparing rates online. There are so many choices that it can turn into more work than you anticipated to compare prices in Heber Springs.

It's important to compare rates before your policy renews since rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best price on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because we're going to demonstrate the proper way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.

This information will let you in on how to effectively get price quotes and some money-saving tips. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Arkansas vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to compare rates online.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" car insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • Bump up deductibles to save - Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be a windshield shattered by a rock, damage from fire, or theft. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Keep rates low by being claim-free - If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Car insurance companies in Arkansas generally give lower rates to people who are claim-free. Your insurance policy is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Poor driving leads to higher costs - Your driving citation history has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Even a single ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who have serious citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Having a spouse can save you money - Having a spouse can actually save you money on car insurance. It means you're more mature than a single person and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Your location is important - Being located in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when talking about car insurance. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents.
  • How credit affects car insurance rates - Credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. If your credit score is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with poor credit.
  • Don't buy coverages you don't need - There are many extra bells and whistles that you can buy when buying car insurance. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and term life insurance are some examples. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
  • Are you male or female? - The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn't necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. Both sexes have accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage. They also get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high car insurance rates.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but a few need to be inquired about prior to receiving the credit. If you're not getting every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Heber Springs can save you money because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
  • Good Students Pay Less - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply until age 25.
  • One Accident Forgiven - Certain companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don't have any claims for a set time period.
  • Life Insurance Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance.
  • Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you will save at least 10% off all policies.
  • Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Defensive Driver - Successfully completing a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.

Consumers should know that some credits don't apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose companies offering car insurance discounts in Arkansas, click here.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Consumers in Arkansas can't ignore all the ads for the lowest price auto insurance by State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim that you'll save big if you switch to their company.

How does each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured might be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has great credit. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don't qualify for these standards will have to pay higher prices and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's why companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should quote coverage with many companies. It's just too difficult to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more today

Much more information about car insurance in Arkansas can be found on the Arkansas Insurance Department website located here. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, download brochures, and file complaints about a company.

Best coverage at the best price

Discount car insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Heber Springs agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Drivers switch companies for a number of reasons such as an unsatisfactory settlement offer, extreme rates for teen drivers, poor customer service or even delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.

We just covered a lot of ways to save on car insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the lowest rates come from the least-expected company.