Lower Online Meridian Auto Insurance Prices With These Tricks

Finding the best price on Meridian auto insurance might seem complicated at first if you have never used online rate quotes. But relax because we're going to show you how.

Meridian Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

  • You might want pay the small claims yourself - Companies in Texas generally give cheaper rates to drivers who are claim-free. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to higher rates. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
  • Credit scores impact auto insurance rates - Having a bad credit rating is a large factor in determining your rates. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit. So if your credit can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your by improving your credit score.
  • Always keep insurance in force - Driving your car without having proper coverage can get your license suspended and auto insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance expire. Not only will you pay more, getting caught without coverage can result in a license revocation or jail time.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Careers like doctors, social workers and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. Other professions such as scientists, historians and the unemployed receive lower rates.

Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Meridian, TX

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from different Meridian insurance companies. One of the best ways to find the cheapest insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

  1. The fastest way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form eliminates the need for separate quotation requests for each company. Just one form gets you coverage quotes from auto insurance companies with the best prices.It's the quickest way to get rates.
  2. A harder way to get quotes online consists of going to the website of each company and request a quote. For sake of this example, we'll assume you want to compare , and . You would have to spend time on each company's site to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Meridian, click here.
  3. The most time-consuming method of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to and from local Meridian insurance agencies. Buying insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the professional advice of a licensed agent. It is possible to find lower rates online and still use a local agent and we'll touch on that later.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to compare exactly the same coverages with every price quote. If you enter different limits and deductibles on each one it will be next to impossible to find the best deal in Meridian. Slightly different limits may cause a big price difference. Keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes will improve the odds of getting lower pricing.

Save big with these discounts

Companies don't list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

  • Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Air Bag Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts up to 30%.
  • Seat Belt Usage - Buckling up and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for better auto insurance rates.
  • Organization Discounts - Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount when shopping for auto insurance.

It's important to note that some credits don't apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you're out of luck.

To choose insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Meridian, click here.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all have a common claim that you can save if you move to their company. How can each company say the same thing?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who fall outside the requirements will be quoted a more expensive rate and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That is how insurance companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why you need to compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions may help highlight if your situation might need professional guidance.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
  • Am I covered by my employer's commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?

If you can't answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.

Additional detailed information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can download brochures, find out industry alerts, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Texas auto insurance

Do the work, save more money

Drivers who switch companies do it for many reasons like extreme rates for teen drivers, poor customer service, being labeled a high risk driver or even high rates after DUI convictions. Whatever your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is easier than you think.

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of ways to compare auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the best prices are with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.