Pasadena Car Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Shopping for the lowest cost Pasadena car insurance on the web may be impossible for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. With so many choices of companies in the marketplace, how can you possibly compare the different rates to find the cheapest rates?

It's important to do rate comparisons quite often because rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best price last year the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you're about to learn how to quote online to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

Buying car insurance in Pasadena is easy if you know what you're doing. If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. But Texas car owners do need to know the way companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.

Save big with these discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise all their discounts very well, so we took the time to find some of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on car insurance.

College Student - Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don't have a car may qualify for this discount.
55 and Retired - Mature drivers may receive reduced rates.
Safety Course Discount - Taking a driver safety course could cut 5% off your bill and easily recoup the cost of the course.
Discount for Swiching Early - Some companies give discounts for switching to them before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
Bundle and Save - When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
Auto/Life Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with a break if you buy life insurance from them.
Accident Waiver - Some insurance companies allow you one accident before raising your premiums as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
Passive Restraints - Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
Driver's Ed - Have your child complete a driver education course if offered at their school.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don't profit that way.

To see a list of companies with discount car insurance rates in Texas, click this link.

Free Pasadena Car Insurance Quotes

There are several ways to compare quotes from local Pasadena car insurance companies. The best method to find competitive insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be done in several different ways.

The best way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This form prevents you from having to do separate forms for each company. One form will get you price quotes from several companies. Just one form and you're done.
Another way to get quotes online requires a visit to each company's website to request a price quote. For sake of this example, let's assume you want comparison quotes from , and . You would have to spend time on each company's site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker.

To view a list of companies in Pasadena, click here.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples coverage limits for each price quote. If each company quotes differing limits then you won't be able to truly determine the lowest rate in Pasadena. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when comparison shopping, more quotes gives you a better chance of getting better pricing.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Pasadena

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that play a part in calculating your car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine rates.

Mature drivers pay less - Young drivers in Texas have a tendency to be more careless when driving so car insurance rates are higher. Having to add a youthful driver to your policy can really hurt. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
Men are more aggressive - Statistics have proven women tend to be less risk to insure than men. Now that doesn't mean women are better drivers. Men and women tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also have more aggressive citations such as reckless driving.
Do you need those extra coverages? - There are quite a few add-on coverages that you can buy on your policy. Things like roadside assistance, towing coverage and motor club memberships may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if you don't need them remove them from your policy.
What type of vehicle do you drive? - The performance of the car you own makes a big difference in the rate you pay. The lowest base rates tend to be for lower performance four cylinder passenger models, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
How's your driving record? - Good drivers get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Only having one ticket can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who have dangerous citations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may need to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to prevent a license revocation.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different.

These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation might need an agent's assistance.

Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Pasadena?
Should I buy additional glass protection?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Texas?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Car insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make the same claim that you'll save big if you change to them. But how can every company make the same claim? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A customer who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Drivers who fall outside this ideal profile will have to pay higher premiums which leads to business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save money. This is how companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Shop smart and save

As you prepare to switch companies, don't be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.

Discount car insurance is attainable from both online companies and with local Pasadena insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

We just showed you some good ideas how to compare car insurance prices online. It's most important to understand that the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies.

More detailed Texas car insurance information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about insurance regulations, and discover disciplinary actions.

Additional helpful sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Pasadena.