Lower Online Lewiston Auto Insurance Prices With These Methods
If you've never shopped for auto insurance online, you may be overwhelmed because of the huge number of auto insurance companies offering coverage in Lewiston.
If you have a current auto insurance policy or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find better prices and possibly find even better coverage. Finding affordable protection in Lewiston is not that difficult. Maine consumers only need to know the tricks to get comparison rates over the internet.
Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates
Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.
- Save money with special equipment - Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent your car from being stolen.
- Bundling policies can get discounts - Many companies provide better rates to customers who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you're getting this discount it's in your best interest to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
- Men pay higher rates - Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
- Add-on coverages can add up - There are a ton of additional coverages that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Insurance for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment when talking to your agent, but if they're wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
Save big with these discounts
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for before you will receive the discount. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.
- Service Members Pay Less - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
- Drivers Ed for Students - 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 can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Accident Forgiveness - A handful of insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear for a set time period.
- Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out life insurance.
A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will reduce your overall premium however.
To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Lewiston, follow this link.
Auto insurance ads bend the truth
Maine consumers can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all say the same thing about savings after switching to their company.
How can each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.
Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 50, owns a home, and has great credit. A driver who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.
Potential insureds who fall outside the requirements will be quoted more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings.
This emphasizes why you should quote coverage with many companies. It is impossible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.
But I don't know anything about car insurance
When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is unique.
These are some specific questions might point out if your situation may require specific advice.
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Maine?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
- Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
- I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
If you don't know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
For more Maine car insurance information
Additional information can be found on the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Click here for link. Maine consumers can view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, and learn about insurance regulations.
And the best car insurance company is...
Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, policy cancellation, denial of a claim or even extreme rates for teen drivers. Whatever your reason, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.
As you prepare to switch companies, it's not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.
The cheapest auto insurance can be bought online and also from your neighborhood Lewiston agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.