How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Helena

No one looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much.

Big companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive promote their brand names with ads and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

If you have car insurance now, you should be able to save some money using these methods. Buying car insurance in Helena is not that difficult. Although Alabama drivers do need to know how big insurance companies determine prices and take advantage of how the system works.

Finding Auto Insurance in Helena, AL

There are several ways of comparing rate quotes from different Helena insurance companies. The recommended way to find the cheapest insurance rates is to perform an online rate comparison. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

The first (and easiest) way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This form saves time by eliminating separate quotation requests for every auto insurance company. A single form will return price quotes from auto insurance companies with the best prices.

A less efficient way to get quotes online consists of visiting the website of each company to complete a price quote. For instance, let's assume you want to compare , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Helena, click here.

The hardest method of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to local Helena insurance agencies. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the trained guidance of a local Helena agent. Drivers can compare the best prices online and still use a local agent.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits with each company. If your comparisons have different values for each quote it will be impossible to make an equal comparison in Helena. Having just a slight variation in coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that more quotes will increase your chances of finding better pricing.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Helena

It's important that you understand the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Companies in Alabama give cheaper rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for larger claims.
Multiple policies with one company can save - The majority of auto insurance companies provide better rates to customers who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Save money with special equipment - Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Don't skimp on liability - The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you when a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. It will provide legal defense coverage starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.

Save big with these discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but you may find discounts to help offset the cost. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for before you will receive the discount.

Federal Employees - Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% with a few auto insurance companies.
Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Drivers Ed for Students - Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver's ed class in high school.
Defensive Driving Course - Completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Club Memberships - Participating in a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings when shopping for auto insurance.
Military Rewards - Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
Good Student - Getting good grades can get you a discount of up to 25%. The discount lasts up to age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will reduce your overall premium however.

For a list of insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Helena, click this link.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions might point out if your situation might need professional guidance.

Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Am I getting all the discounts available?

If it's difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Additional information is available on the website for the Alabama Department of Insurance through this link. Alabama consumers can download brochures, read consumer alerts, view a list of available companies, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There are too many instances where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

The cheapest auto insurance is possible online and with local Helena insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies do not offer online quoting and these smaller companies work with independent agents.