Easy Methods to Cut Costs on Jamestown Auto Insurance
Saving money on Jamestown auto insurance is nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. There are so many choices that it can be more work than you anticipated to locate the lowest price in Jamestown.
It's important to price shop coverage once or twice a year because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best price a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to one of the easiest ways to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.
Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper
Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.
The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" that factor into rates.
- Sex matters - The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don't assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. They both tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
- High numbers of claims are not good - Car insurance companies in North Dakota provide better rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect higher rates. Insurance coverage is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
- Special features that cut premiums - Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder your car from being stolen.
- Liability insurance protects assets - The liability section of your policy will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
- Do you need those extra coverages? - There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like roadside assistance, towing coverage and membership fees are examples of these. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so get rid of them and save.
- With age comes lower rates - Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and receive fewer citations. Teen drivers tend to be less responsible in a vehicle therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
- Your spouse saves you money - Having a spouse actually saves money when buying auto insurance. It usually means you are more mature and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Save big with these discounts
Companies offering auto insurance don't always publicize all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both well-publicized as well as the least known auto insurance savings.
- Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for a discount up to 10%.
- Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in high school.
- Pay Upfront and Save - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
- Organization Discounts - Participating in certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
- Defensive Driving Course - Taking part in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
It's important to note that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you're out of luck.
To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Jamestown, follow this link.
Auto insurance ads bend the truth
Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all seem to say the same thing that you can save if you move your policy. How do they all make almost identical claims?
All the different companies can use profiling for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and most likely will cut their rates substantially.
Potential customers who fall outside the "perfect" profile will have to pay a higher premium which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That's why insurance companies can make the claims of big savings. Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know the company that will fit your personal profile best.
More North Dakota auto insurance information
Additional detailed information can be found at the North Dakota Insurance Department website. North Dakota consumers can learn about insurance regulations, download brochures, and view a list of available companies.
Do the work, save more money
As you shop your coverage around, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.
Consumers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as denial of a claim, extreme rates for teen drivers, questionable increases in premium or even poor customer service. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.
Lower-priced auto insurance is possible online in addition to many Jamestown insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers do not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.