Ninety Six Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Finding better rates for Ninety Six auto insurance is nearly impossible for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. There are so many companies to choose from that it can be a challenge to find lower rates in Ninety Six.

It's important to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate the quickest way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

This article will let you in on the best way to quote coverages and some money-saving tips. If you have car insurance now, you will be able to cut costs considerably using these techniques. Nevertheless, South Carolina drivers do need to know the way companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

More discounts equal less premium

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be manually applied before you get the savings.

  • Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Ninety Six can save you money because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
  • Accident Free - Claim-free drivers pay much less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Multiple Cars - Having all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive reduced rates.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Factory air bags may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • Discount for New Cars - Putting insurance coverage on a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.

It's important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your premiums.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

  • Bump up deductibles to save - Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and burglary. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more you're willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Do you work long hours in a high stress job? - Jobs such as judges, social workers and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates in part from job stress and lengthy work days. Conversely, jobs such as farmers, engineers and retirees have the lowest average rates.
  • Older drivers pay less - Teen drivers in South Carolina have a tendency to be more careless in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.
  • Better credit means lower rates - Credit score is a huge factor in your rate calculation. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower ratings. Therefore, if your credit history is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit.
  • An active claims history can cost you - Car insurance companies in South Carolina generally give lower rates to policyholders who file claims infrequently. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Lower miles equals lower premium - The higher the mileage driven every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars left parked in the garage receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle, because improper ratings can cost you money.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder auto theft.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive consistently run ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings if you change to them. How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All companies can use profiling for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Drivers who do not match these standards will have to pay a higher premium and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That's why insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Additional auto insurance information is located on the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. South Carolina consumers can report car insurance fraud, read industry bulletins, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Shop smart and save

Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced online and with local Ninety Six insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

Drivers leave their current company for any number of reasons including an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high rates after DUI convictions, lack of trust in their agent and even not issuing a premium refund. It doesn't matter why you want to switch switching auto insurance companies is less work than it seems.

As you shop your coverage around, it's very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price.