Find the Cheapest Long Beach Auto Insurance

Finding the lowest price for Long Beach auto insurance may seem to be difficult if you have never used online quoting. But don't let that discourage you because comparing prices is actually very simple.

It's important to compare rates periodically since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates a year ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance on the web, but we're going to give you some great ways to reduce your auto insurance bill.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that go into determining auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

How credit affects auto insurance rates - Your credit score is a huge factor in determining your rates. So if your credit is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have poor credit.
A clean driving record saves money - Even a single ticket can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to file a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
How many coverages with the same company - Most companies give discounts to people who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up 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.
An active claims history can cost you - Insurance companies in Washington provide cheaper rates to insureds who are claim-free. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.

How to Get Long Beach Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from different Long Beach insurance companies. One of the best ways to compare insurance prices consists of shopping online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

The fastest way to find the lowest comparison rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This method saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company. Just one form compares rates from multiple companies. It's the fastest way to compare.
A harder way to compare rate quotes is going to the website for each individual company to complete a price quote. For instance, let's assume you want to compare , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website and enter your information, and that's why the first method is more popular. To view a list of companies in Long Beach, click here.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just be sure to compare exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles for every company. If you are comparing different liability limits you will not be able to decipher which rate is best in Long Beach. Just a small difference in coverages may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that getting more free quotes will increase your chances of finding the best rates.

Take advantage of discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but there could be available discounts that many people don't even know exist. Some discounts apply automatically at quote time, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested in order for you to get them.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
Early Signing - Select companies give a discount for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver's ed class in school.
Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out a life insurance policy as well.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like it's possible to get free car insurance, auto insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will reduce your overall premium however.

To choose providers offering auto insurance discounts in Long Beach, follow this link.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you switch to their company. How can each company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. A good example of a preferred risk might be profiled as over the age of 50, a clean driving record, and has excellent credit. A propective insured who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the requirements will be charged more money which usually ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims.

That is why you need to quote coverage with many companies. It's not possible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

How to know if you need help

When buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Every insured's situation is different.

These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation may require specific advice.

Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Washington?

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 an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Additional information can be read on the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Click here for link. Washington drivers can find out industry alerts, file complaints about a company, and read consumer alerts.

Final considerations

While you're price shopping online, it's not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn't purchase enough coverage. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of tips how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Drivers may discover the biggest savings come from a lesser-known regional company.

Consumers switch companies for any number of reasons including policy cancellation, high prices, policy non-renewal or even extreme rates for teen drivers. No matter why you want to switch, switching auto insurance companies is easier than you think.