How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Car Insurance in Lookout

No one likes having to buy car insurance, particularly when they are paying too much. Because there are so many choices of insurance companies, it can be challenging to locate the right car insurance company.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates periodically due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best deal on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because I'm going to teach you the only way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

These discounts can lower your rates

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some trigger automatically at the time you complete a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about prior to getting the savings. If you don't get every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

  • Accident Forgiveness - Some insurance companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
  • Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
  • Anti-lock Brake System - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • College Student - Kids in college who live away from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in West Virginia?
  • What are West Virginia no-fault laws?
  • 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?

If you're not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can help protect your family.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Consumers in West Virginia get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save if you switch to their company.

But how can every company claim to save you money?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has great credit. Any driver who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Potential customers who are not a match for this ideal profile will have to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. You cannot predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

More information is available on the website for the West Virginia Insurance Commission located here. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on this site for West Virginia car insurance information and see this list of insurance agents in Lookout.

West Virginia car insurance

Best coverage at the best price

Affordable car insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Lookout agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

We just presented some good ideas how you can reduce car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even find the most savings is with a small local company. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than the large multi-state companies such as .

When you buy insurance online, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many cases, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.