How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Keyport

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, many consumers are feeling buyer's remorse and feel like there's no way out. Companies like GEICO and Progressive promote their brand names with TV and radio ads and it is difficult to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

It's important to compare prices every six months because insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best price last year you can probably find a better price now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to find out the fastest and easiest way to find great coverage at a great price.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • More miles equals more premium - The more you drive in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is rated on the correct driver usage.
  • Do you have enough liability coverage? - The liability section of your policy provides coverage if ever a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
  • Don't cancel a policy without a new one in place - Driving your car without having proper coverage is a misdemeanor and auto insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance lapse. Not only will rates go up, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance might get you a license revocation or jail time.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Jobs such as lawyers, social workers and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and lots of time spent at work. Other occupations like actors, historians and the unemployed receive lower rates.
  • Don't get talked into coverage you don't need - There are a lot of extra coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and term life insurance are some examples. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they're wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Being married is a good thing - Having a spouse actually saves money on auto insurance. It means you're more mature and it's statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.

New Jersey auto insurance quotes

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you can get discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but less common discounts must be asked for before they will apply. If you aren't receiving every discount possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Life Insurance Discount - Some companies give better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
  • Organization Discounts - Participating in a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount on auto insurance.
  • Seat Belt Usage - Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially as compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Drive Less and Save - Keeping the miles down can earn a substantially lower rate.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will reduce the amount you have to pay.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Keyport, click here.

Save $429 a year? Really?

New Jersey consumers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings by GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save if you move to their company.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A driver that hits that "sweet spot" will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don't qualify for the requirements will have to pay higher rates and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's the way insurance companies can claim big savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about New Jersey auto insurance

More information can be found on the website for the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance through this link. New Jersey consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find out which companies have the most complaints, find a variety of consumer forms, and read industry bulletins.

And the best car insurance company is...

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.

Affordable auto insurance is definitely available online and also from your neighborhood Keyport agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.