Finding the Cheapest Onalaska Auto Insurance

No one in their right mind looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much.

Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with catchy ads and it can be hard to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates periodically since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest price last year you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance online, so we're going to give you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

Onalaska Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

  • Credit scores impact auto insurance rates - Your credit score is a important factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit.
  • Traffic citations inflate rates - Even a single citation can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - Most insurance companies give discounts to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to 10 percent or more. Even with this discount, you still need to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
  • Claim-free discounts can add up - Insurance companies in Washington generally give cheaper rates to drivers who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.

Onalaska auto insurance quote

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Car insurance companies don't always list every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so we researched some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver's ed class in school.
  • Payment Discounts - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn't work that way.

To choose providers offering auto insurance discounts in Onalaska, click here.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the ads have a common claim that you can save if you switch to their company. How can each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a preferred risk might be profiled as a mature driver, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't measure up to the requirements will be charged higher premiums and this can result in business not being written. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. That is why you should get as many comparisons as possible. It's not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • 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?
  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Onalaska?

If you can't answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Additional Washington consumer information

Additional detailed information is located at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Washington drivers can find out industry alerts, file complaints about a company, read consumer alerts, and download brochures.

Washington auto insurance

Final considerations

As you prepare to switch companies, it's not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, someone dropped collision coverage and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The aim is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

In this article, we covered a lot of techniques to save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even find the best price on auto insurance is with some of the lesser-known companies. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as .