Tightwads Tips for Saving on North English Car Insurance

Expensive car insurance can empty your savings account and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparison shopping is a smart way to cut your insurance bill.

There are many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, it makes it harder to compare rates.

More discounts equal less premium

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.

  • Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
  • Paperwork-free - Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
  • Accident Waiver - Certain companies allow you one accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
  • Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
  • Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, car insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will bring down your premiums.

compare North English car insurance rates

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to better car insurance rates.

The following are some of the items companies use to determine prices.

  • Special features that cut premiums - Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Theft prevention features like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
  • Marriage pays dividends - Getting married can get you a discount when buying car insurance. Having a significant other is viewed as being more responsible and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Big city or small town - Residing in a small town can save you money when talking about car insurance. City drivers tend to have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Fewer people means fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
  • Better credit means lower rates - Having a bad credit history is a big factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. Therefore, if your credit score is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower credit scores.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save - Safer cars are cheaper to insure. The safest vehicles result in less severe injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates into savings for insurance companies and thus lower rates.
  • Multi-policy discounts can save money - Many companies provide better rates to insureds who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads in print and on television. They all say the same thing about savings after switching to them. How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and chooses high deductibles. Any driver who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who do not match these standards will be quoted a higher premium which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. This is how companies can truthfully state the savings.

This emphasizes why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Additional information can be read on the website for the Iowa Insurance Division found here. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, view agent and company licensing information, and find out industry alerts.

Also read more on this site for car insurance rates in Iowa and this list of insurance agents in North English, IA.

Affordable insurance is out there

Cheap car insurance can be sourced both online and with local North English insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at the best price while still protecting your assets.