How to Get the Cheapest Norwalk Car Insurance

Saving money on Norwalk car insurance is hard for beginners to comparing rates online. Drivers have so many companies to choose from that it can be a big hassle to compare prices in Norwalk.

It's important to compare prices before your policy renews due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates last year the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. So just forget all the misinformation about car insurance because I'm going to teach you the tricks you need to know to find lower rates on car insurance.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. This information will let you in on how to get online quotes and some tips to save money. Nevertheless, California consumers do need to know how companies compete online and use this information to your advantage.

Save big with these discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't list all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both the well known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

  • Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Norwalk can save you money due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
  • Senior Citizens - Mature drivers may be able to get better car insurance rates.
  • Payment Method - By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
  • College Student - Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
  • Sign Online - A few companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing digitally online.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Insuring multiple vehicles on the same car insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

Consumers should know that some credits don't apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

To see a list of companies who offer car insurance discounts in Norwalk, click here.

Compare Norwalk Car Insurance Costs

There are several ways of comparing rates and find the best price. The best method to find competitive insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

  • The best way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quotation requests for each company you want a rate for. In just a few minutes this one form will get you rate comparisons from car insurance companies with the best prices. It's the fastest way to compare.
  • A slightly less efficient method to get quotes online requires you to visit each individual company website to request a price quote. For instance, let's assume you want rates from , and . To get each rate you have to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Norwalk, click here.
  • The most time-consuming way to get comparison rates is driving around to insurance agents' offices. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you prefer the professional guidance that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to obtain prices from the web and still use a local agent and you'll learn how to do that later.

Whichever method you choose, ensure you're using exactly the same coverage information for each price quote. If your comparisons have unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Norwalk. Slightly different coverage limits may cause a big price difference. And when price shopping your coverage, obtaining a wide range of quotes will increase your chances of finding the best offered rates.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" car insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • Bump up deductibles to save - Insurance for physical damage to your car, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be colliding with a building, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. The deductibles are how much you are required to spend before your car insurance pays a claim. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Your car insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for car insurance? Jobs such as lawyers, social workers and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to job stress and long work days. Other professions such as farmers, historians and performers receive lower rates.
  • Men pay higher rates - The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the males have costlier accidents. They also get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore have the most expensive car insurance rates.
  • Theft deterrents lower rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder auto theft.
  • Mature drivers pay less - Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations. Youthful drivers are known to get distracted easily in a vehicle and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
  • Having a spouse can save you money - Having a spouse can get you a discount on car insurance. It means you're more mature and responsible and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Multiple policies with one company can save - Many insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to 10 percent or more. If you currently are using one company, you may still want to compare rates to ensure the best deal. You may still find better rates by buying car insurance from a different company.
  • Safer occupants lowers premiums - Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Car insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings after switching to their company. How can each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, is a homeowner, and drives newer vehicles. Any driver that hits that "sweet spot" receives the best rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who fall outside the requirements will have to pay higher premiums and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's why insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict the company that will give you the biggest savings.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Cost effective car insurance can be bought both online and also from your neighborhood Norwalk agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

Drivers change insurance companies for many reasons like an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high rates after DUI convictions, denial of a claim or unfair underwriting practices. Whatever your reason, finding the right car insurance provider is actually quite simple.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate.

Learn more today

More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, read industry bulletins, and learn about insurance regulations.