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

No one likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when the cost is way too high.

With consumers having so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be challenging to find the cheapest company.

The purpose of this article is to introduce you to how to effectively get price quotes. If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. Nevertheless, Iowa drivers do need to know the way companies compete online and apply this information to your search.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in better auto insurance rates.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine premiums.

Lower deductibles cost more - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are required to spend in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. Examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and burglary. The higher the amount you're willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Many insurers will award you with lower prices to customers who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you still need to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Teen drivers pay high rates - Teen drivers in Iowa are known to get distracted easily behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Parents adding a youthful driver to your policy can really hurt. Older drivers are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel.
Careful drivers pay lower rates - Only having one moving violation can increase rates by twenty percent. Good drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers with flagrant tickets like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to keep their license.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Laurens, IA

There are multiple methods to shop for auto insurance, but one way is easier and takes less work. You can spend your afternoon talking to insurance companies in Laurens, or you could save time and use online quotes to get the quickest rates.

Most of the larger companies participate in an industry program that enables customers to enter their coverage request one time, and each company returns a rated price based on that data. This saves time by eliminating quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

One minor caviat to pricing coverage this way is you can't choose which providers you want pricing from. If you would rather choose individual companies to compare prices, we have a listing of auto insurance companies in Iowa. Click to view list.

It's up to you which method you use, but make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples coverage information with every price quote. If you have unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be impossible to find the best deal in Laurens. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits can make a big difference in price. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that quoting more provides better odds of finding the best offered rates.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there are discounts available to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be applied at the time you complete a quote, but less common discounts must be manually applied prior to getting the savings.

Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Anti-lock Brake System - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Student in College - Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
Homeowners Savings - Owning a home in Laurens can help you save on auto insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Good Student - This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
Paperless Signup - Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing online.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don't profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your premiums.

To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Iowa, click here to view.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings after switching to them. But how can every company make almost identical claims?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don't measure up to this ideal profile must pay a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do.

This illustrates why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you might need an agent's assistance.

Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Iowa?
What are Iowa no-fault laws?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Iowa?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. If you don't have a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Additional auto insurance information can be found on the website for the Iowa Insurance Division located here. Iowa consumers can report car insurance fraud, read consumer alerts, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about a company.

Other informative sites include this page for Iowa auto insurance and this page for help finding agents in Laurens, IA.

Final considerations

Cost effective auto insurance can be bought online and with local Laurens insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In too many instances, an insured cut physical damage coverage only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

You just read some good ideas how you can compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from a small local company. These smaller insurers may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as .