Proven Techniques to Save on Ocala Auto Insurance

I can't think of a single person who looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much.

Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with TV and radio ads and consumers find it hard to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

Save big with these discounts

Companies don't always 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 auto insurance savings.

  • Military Rewards - Having a deployed family member can result in better rates.
  • Theft Prevention System - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class in high school.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Keeping the miles down can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents can earn big discounts when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Defensive Driving Course - Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more if you qualify.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky.

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Why some people pay less for insurance in Ocala

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

The list below includes some of the factors companies use to determine prices.

  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Owning a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent your car from being stolen.
  • How many coverages with the same company - The majority of companies provide better rates to people who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • High numbers of claims are not good - Companies in Florida provide cheaper rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
  • Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are a lot of additional coverages that can waste your money if you aren't careful. Insurance for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and motor club memberships are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment at first, but if you don't need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. These are some specific questions might point out if your situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
  • Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all say the same thing about savings if you move to them. How can each company say the same thing?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. An example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has excellent credit. A propective insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who fall outside the requirements will be quoted a higher premium which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save money. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims. This emphasizes why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

For more Florida car insurance information

Even more information is available at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website. Florida drivers can view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, download brochures, and discover disciplinary actions.

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Do the work, save more money

While you're price shopping online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Cheaper auto insurance is possible on the web and with local Ocala insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. Some companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.