Compare Mendocino Auto Insurance Prices With These Methods

Are you intimidated by the crazy number of auto insurance company choices in Mendocino? You're not the only one! You have so many choices that it can turn into more work than you anticipated to find the lowest price.

It's important to compare rates every six months because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best price last year the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to learn the fastest and easiest way to buy cheaper auto insurance.

The purpose of this article is to help educate you on how to effectively get price quotes and some tips to save money. If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using this strategy. Nevertheless, California consumers do need to know the way companies market on the web and apply this information to your search.

Are you getting all your discounts?

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there could be available discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of purchase, but a few need to be asked for prior to receiving the credit.

  • Life Insurance Discount - Larger companies have a break if you buy life insurance from them.
  • Memberships - Being a member of a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on auto insurance.
  • Federal Government Employee - Being employed by or retired from a federal job can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
  • Anti-theft System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • No Charge for an Accident - Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
  • More Vehicles More Savings - Buying coverage for multiple cars or trucks on the same auto insurance policy qualifies for this discount.
  • Homeowners Discount - Owning a house in Mendocino can save you money because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially as compared to bad drivers.

Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don't profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce the cost of coverage.

To see a list of companies with the best auto insurance discounts in California, click here.

California auto insurance quotes

Compare Quotes for Mendocino Auto Insurance

Most companies quote prices directly from their websites. This process is quite easy as you just type in the coverages you want as detailed in the form. Once you submit the form, the system will obtain your credit score and driving record and generates pricing information based on many factors.

This simplifies rate comparisons, but the time it takes to visit several different sites and complete many quote forms is repetitive and time-consuming. But it's very important to get many rate quotes if you are searching for the best price on auto insurance.

The preferred way to lower your rates uses one form that obtains quotes from multiple companies. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes quoting online much more enjoyable and efficient. After sending your information, it is quoted and you are able to buy any or none of the price quotes you receive.

If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, you simply finish the application and buy the new coverage. It takes 15 minutes at the most and may result in a nice savings.

To find out if lower rates are available, click here to open in new window and begin entering your coverage information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend that you enter your coverages identical to your current policy. This makes sure you will receive rate comparison quotes based on the exact same insurance coverage.

You have some control over your rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • Drive less and save money - The more you drive in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Verify your auto insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance - The liability section of your policy provides coverage if ever you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
  • Small claims can cost you - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance companies in California generally give discounts to policyholders who are claim-free. Car insurance is intended for the large, substantial claims.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - The majority of insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it's in your best interest to compare rates to ensure the best deal. Consumers may find a better deal by buying auto insurance from a different company.
  • Being married is a good thing - Having a spouse actually saves money on auto insurance. It means you're more mature and responsible it has been statistically shown that being married results in fewer claims.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, and rolling your vehicle. The deductibles are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your auto insurance will be.

How can GEICO, State Farm and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive regularly use ads on television and other media. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings if you move to their company. But how can every company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates 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 higher prices and this can result in the customer not buying. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That's the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

As you prepare to switch companies, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price.

Cost effective auto insurance is definitely available both online and also from your neighborhood Mendocino agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Drivers who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including delays in paying claims, questionable increases in premium, extreme rates for teen drivers or policy cancellation. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, switching auto insurance companies is actually quite simple.

Additional auto insurance information can be found on the California Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find out which companies have the most complaints, and download brochures.

Additional helpful sites include Auto Insurance 101 and this page where you can research Mendocino insurance agents.