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

I can't think of a single person who likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much.

Because you have many options when it comes to auto insurance, it can be hard to find the cheapest company.

Finding the best rates in Lawrenceville is quite easy. If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. Nevertheless, Illinois vehicle owners do need to know the way companies compete online.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

The following are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Small claims can cost you - Companies in Illinois provide discounts to policyholders who are claim-free. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
  • A clean driving record saves money - Even one ticket can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Careful drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to submit a SR-22 form with the DMV in their state in order to keep their license.
  • With age comes lower rates - Teenage drivers in Illinois are known to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Parents adding a teenage driver to your auto insurance policy can really hurt. Older drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
  • One company can mean more discounts - Many companies provide better rates to people who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you may still want to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't always list every discount very well, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the more hidden auto insurance savings.

  • Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Good Student - This discount can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
  • Distant Student - Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Larger companies have a break if you buy life insurance from them.
  • Driver's Ed - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Fewer annual miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.

It's important to understand that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it doesn't quite work that way.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Illinois, follow this link.

How can Progressive, Allstate and GEICO save drivers who switch?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on television and other media. They all say the same thing of big savings after switching to their company. But how can every company say the same thing?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Consumers who are not a match for this ideal profile will be quoted higher rates which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads say "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you should compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Tailor your coverage to you

When buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you might need an agent's assistance.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Illinois?
  • What are Illinois no-fault laws?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?

If you don't know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois drivers can download brochures, file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include this site for auto insurance rates in Illinois and this list of insurance agents in Lawrenceville.

Illinois auto insurance

Do the work, save more money

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of information how to save on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Some small companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than the large multi-state companies such as .

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.