Lower Online Jefferson Auto Insurance Prices With These Methods

If shopping for auto insurance online is new to you, you may be overwhelmed due to the large number of auto insurance companies competing for business in Jefferson.

It's important to check auto insurance prices periodically because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best price last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to the fastest and easiest way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

If you are insured now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to get lower rates while maintaining coverages. The purpose of this post is to familiarize you with how to effectively get price quotes and some tips to save money. Texas consumers only need to know the most efficient way to compare rates online.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine your rates.

  • Is your vehicle built for speed? - The type of vehicle you drive makes a huge difference in determining your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
  • Better credit means lower rates - Your credit rating is a huge factor in determining your rates. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. If your credit score can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your by repairing your credit.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Occupations like lawyers, architects and accountants tend to pay higher rates than average in part from high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, occupations like scientists, athletes and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
  • Don't skimp on liability - The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you in the event that you are found liable for damages from an accident. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.

Texas auto insurance

How to Get Jefferson Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

Reducing your insurance rates is actually quite simple. Consumers just need to take a few minutes getting comparison quotes from different insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  1. The fastest way to get quotes is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This method saves time by eliminating separate forms to each individual auto insurance company. Just one form gets you coverage quotes from several companies. This is perfect if you don't have a lot of time.
  2. A slightly less efficient method to shop for auto insurance online consists of going to each company website to complete a price quote. For sake of this example, let's assume you want to compare , and . To find out each rate you need to spend time on each company's site to enter your coverage information, and that's why the first method is more popular.

    For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Jefferson, click here.
  3. The least efficient method of comparing rate quotes is to waste gas driving to insurance agents' offices. The internet eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the trained guidance only provided by licensed Jefferson agents. You can, however, find lower rates online but buy from a local insurance agent. We'll cover that shortly.

Which method you use is up to you, but be sure to compare the exact same coverages for every company. If you enter different limits and deductibles on each one it will be very difficult to decipher which rate is best in Jefferson.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Auto insurance companies don't always advertise every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both the well known and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings. If they aren't giving you every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Sign Early and Save - Select companies give a discount for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
  • Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • More Vehicles More Savings - Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks with the same company qualifies for this discount.
  • Accident Forgiveness - A few companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Good Student - This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply up to age 25.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky.

To choose providers with the best auto insurance discounts in Jefferson, follow this link.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Consumers in Texas can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance by companies like State Farm and Allstate. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you move to them.

How do they all claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk might be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will be charged more money which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. That is why you need to quote coverage with many companies. It's impossible to know which company will give you the biggest savings.

Insurance agents can help

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone's situation is unique.

For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
  • Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Should I buy only the required Texas minimum liability coverage?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Even more information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to learn about specific coverages, find out industry alerts, and read industry bulletins.

Texas auto insurance

And the best car insurance company is...

We covered a lot of information how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the lowest rates come from a smaller regional carrier.

Consumers who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including high prices, poor customer service, high rates after DUI convictions or even lack of trust in their agent. No matter why you want to switch, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.

The cheapest auto insurance is definitely available both online and with local Jefferson insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not offer online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.