How to Know You're Throwing Money Away for Auto Insurance in Maynard

Are you sick and tired of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? You're in the same situation as many other Massachusetts drivers.

With so many different company options, it can be challenging to locate the lowest price provider.

This information will let you in on the most effective way to quote insurance and some tricks to saving. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. But Massachusetts drivers do need to know the way companies market insurance on the web.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but discounts can save money and there are some available to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be applied at the time you complete a quote, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.

Driver's Ed - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class if offered at their school.
Claim Free - Claim-free drivers pay less when compared to drivers who are more careless.
Safety Course Discount - Successfully completing a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if you qualify.
Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when shopping for auto insurance.
Low Mileage Discounts - Low mileage vehicles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Pay Now and Pay Less - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
Distant Student - Any of your kids living away from home attending college and don't have a car can receive lower rates.
Discount for Swiching Early - Select companies give a discount for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will help reduce the amount you have to pay.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are some of the items used by your company to calculate prices.

Claim-free discounts can add up - Companies in Massachusetts give discounts to people who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Your insurance policy is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Your stress level may be raising your rates - Careers like real estate brokers, executives and stock brokers have the highest rates in part from stressful work requirements and long work days. On the other hand, occupations like farmers, students and retirees get better rates.
Little extras can really add up - There are quite a few extra bells and whistles that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Things like vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so remove them from your policy.
How many coverages with the same company - Some auto insurance companies provide better rates to customers who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's in your best interest to compare other company rates to verify if the discount is saving money. Drivers may still find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
Don't sacrifice liability coverage - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you when a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
Safer occupants lowers premiums - Vehicles with high crash test scores tend to have better insurance rates. The safest vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims passed on to you as lower rates.
Never go without insurance - Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor and as a result your rates will increase for letting your coverage have a gap. Not only will rates go up, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the Massachusetts motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all make the same claim that you'll save big if you change your coverage to them. But how can every company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don't qualify for this ideal profile will be quoted a more expensive rate which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's why companies can make those claims.

This emphasizes why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's impossible to know the company that will have the lowest rates.

Learn more today

Much more information about auto insurance in Massachusetts can be read on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Click here for link. Massachusetts consumers can download brochures, read industry bulletins, discover disciplinary actions, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on this site for auto insurance rates in Massachusetts and this list of insurance agents in Maynard, MA.

Do the work, save more money

Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable online as well as from independent agents in Maynard, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

While you're price shopping online, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.