Top Ways to Save on Palmetto Car Insurance

Tired of scraping the payment together each month for car insurance? Your situation is no different than most other car owners in Georgia.

Drivers have multiple to pick from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates before your policy renews because rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Don't believe everything you read about car insurance on the web, but I'm going to show you some great ways to find cheap car insurance.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Palmetto is quite easy. If you have car insurance now, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. Nevertheless, Georgia car owners do need to know the way companies sell online.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies don't always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the more common as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Palmetto can save you money due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
No Accidents - Claim-free drivers pay less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
One Accident Forgiven - Certain companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims prior to the accident.
Bundle and Save - If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
Good Students Pay Less - Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better car insurance rates.
Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.

It's important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn't quite work that way.

Palmetto Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with lower car insurance prices.

The following are some of the items car insurance companies consider when setting 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. Some instances where coverage would apply are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, and burglary. The deductibles are how much you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know your job can affect your rates? Jobs such as real estate brokers, social workers and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates because of job stress and lengthy work days. Conversely, jobs such as farmers, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
Being married is a good thing - Getting married can get you a discount on car insurance. It means you're more mature and responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
More people means more accidents - Being located in a rural area can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. Urban drivers tend to have much more traffic and longer commute times. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
How's your driving record? - Your driving citation history has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single citation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who have flagrant citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
Older drivers pay less - Young drivers in Georgia are known to be more careless in a vehicle so they pay higher car insurance rates. Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.
Protect yourself with liability coverage - Liability coverage will protect you if ever you are found to be at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Many insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you still need to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. You may still find better rates by buying car insurance from a different company.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Car insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings after switching to their company. How does each company make the same claim?

All companies can use profiling for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when switching.

Consumers who do not match these standards will have to pay higher prices and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads state "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That's why insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. Because you never know the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Learn more today

More tips and info about car insurance can be read at the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner website. Consumers can report car insurance fraud, read industry bulletins, get help finding coverage, and view agent and company licensing information.

Also read more on this page for Georgia car insurance and this page for help finding agents in Palmetto, GA.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Low-cost car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Palmetto agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some car insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

When shopping online for car insurance, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, an accident victim reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford.