Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Knoxville Auto Insurance
Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your personal savings and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparing price quotes is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to make sure you're not throwing money away.
Lots of contend to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare and get the best coverage at the lowest rate
It's important to get comparison quotes quite often because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to how to use online quotes to find better coverage at a better price.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Knoxville is quite easy. Nevertheless, Tennessee consumers do need to know how big insurance companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.
Policy discounts you shouldn't miss
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time of quoting, but less common discounts must be inquired about before you will receive the discount.
- College Student - Kids in college who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
- Sign Online - A few companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing on their website.
- Own a Home - Owning a house in Knoxville can help you save on auto insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
- Seat Belts Save - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
- No Claims - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
- Military Discounts - Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
- Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates on auto insurance.
It's important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.
Understand what determines the rate you pay
Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.
- Older drivers pay less - More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers. Youthful drivers are known to get distracted easily when driving therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
- Pay less if you're married - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount on your policy. It usually means you are more mature and responsible and it's statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
- Increase deductibles and save - Physical damage insurance, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be colliding with a building, damage from fire, or theft. Deductibles for physical damage are how much you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. The more the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive.
- Never allow your policy to lapse - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a quick way to increase your auto insurance rates. Not only will rates go up, but not being able to provide proof of insurance may earn you a revoked license or a big fine.
- Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Jobs such as judges, business owners and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average attributed to job stress and long work days. On the flip side, occupations like pilots, athletes and performers pay the least.
Insurance agents can help
When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.
- Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Knoxville?
- Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
- Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
- Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
- Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
- Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Save $429 a year? Really?
Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise of big savings after switching your policy. How do they all claim to save you money?
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured might be between 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.
Potential insureds who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will have to pay more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.
Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.
More sites with auto insurance information
Additional auto insurance information is located on the website for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance through this link. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, get help finding coverage, report car insurance fraud, and find a variety of consumer forms.
Shop smart and save
When you buy insurance online, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.
Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced both online in addition to many Knoxville insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.