Tightwads Guide to Saving on Mineral Springs Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, you are not the only one feeling buyer's remorse.

Because you have many car insurance companies to choose from, it can be hard to find the right provider.

It's important to compare prices every six months due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best deal a year ago you can probably find a better price now. So just block out anything you think you know about car insurance because I'm going to teach you the proper way to find lower rates on car insurance.

Finding affordable coverage in Mineral Springs is quite easy. In a nutshell, every driver who has to buy car insurance will be able to save money. Nevertheless, Arkansas consumers do need to know how insurance companies sell insurance online and take advantage of how the system works.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get lower car insurance prices.

  • Bad driving skills means higher rates - Your driving record has a big impact on rates. Drivers who don't get tickets have lower premiums than bad drivers. Only having one citation can bump up the cost forty percent or more. Drivers who get serious violations such as DUI or reckless driving may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims would be a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. The more money you have to pay, the less your car insurance will be.
  • What type of vehicle do you drive? - The performance level of the car you drive makes a huge difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are for low performance passenger models, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
  • With age comes lower rates - Youthful drivers in Arkansas are statistically proven to be less responsible when behind the wheel so car insurance rates are higher. Older insureds tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
  • Car features impact rates - Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft features like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Safer cars cost less to insure - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. Safer cars protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts passed on to you as lower rates.

Arkansas car insurance

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't always list every available discount very well, so here is a list both the well known as well as the least known ways to save on car insurance.

  • Discount for Good Grades - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. The discount lasts until age 25.
  • Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings because owning a home requires personal responsibility.
  • Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Senior Citizens - If you're over the age of 55, you may qualify for a small decrease in premiums.
  • Driver's Ed - Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver's ed class in school.
  • Low Mileage - Driving fewer miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Defensive Driver - Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Larger companies have a break if you buy a life insurance policy as well.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like you can get free auto insurance, companies don't profit that way.

To choose providers offering car insurance discounts in Arkansas, click this link.

Is there truth in advertising?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads make the same claim of big savings if you switch your coverage to them. But how can every company claim to save you money?

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a preferred risk might be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, and has excellent credit. Any driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be charged higher rates which leads to the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's the way insurance companies can confidently make those claims. That is why you should get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict which car insurance company will have the lowest rates.

More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Arkansas Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, report car insurance fraud, learn about specific coverages, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Other informative sites include NAIC.org's Understanding your Policy and this directory of insurance agents in Mineral Springs Arkansas.

Affordable insurance is out there

We just presented some good ideas how to save on car insurance. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better your comparison will be. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates compared to the large companies like .

Cost effective car insurance is available both online as well as from independent agents in Mineral Springs, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies don't offer online price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

While you're price shopping online, don't be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage only to find out they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.