Free Guide to Spending Less for Polo Auto Insurance Online

I can't think of a single person who enjoys paying for auto insurance, particularly when their premiums are through the roof.

Because you have many companies and agents to choose from, it can be hard to find the right insurer.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels enables informed choices that could result in better auto insurance rates.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • What are your deductibles? - The deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be colliding with a building, collision with an animal, or theft. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.
  • What type of vehicle do you drive? - The type of car you are insuring makes a huge difference in your rates. The most favorable rates are generally reserved for economy passenger cars, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
  • Cautious drivers pay less - Careful drivers receive lower rates than bad drivers. Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Drivers with serious tickets like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • More miles equals more premium - The more miles you rack up on your car each year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Verify your auto insurance policy properly reflects how each vehicle is driven.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise all available discounts very well, so we break down both the well known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

  • Homeowners Savings - Owning a home in Polo can save you money because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Early Signing - A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Good Student - This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
  • Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance from them.
  • No Accidents - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially when compared with accident-prone drivers.
  • Defensive Driver - Taking a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some credits don't apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

To choose insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Illinois, click here.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the companies have a common claim about savings if you switch to their company. But how can every company claim to save you money?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" will get very good rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Consumers who do not match this ideal profile must pay higher rates and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully state the savings. This illustrates why you should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will give you the biggest savings.

It's not one size fits all

When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you might need an agent's assistance.

  • When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Illinois?
  • What are the financial responsibility laws in Illinois?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?

If you can't answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Even more information can be found at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this page for Illinois auto insurance and this page for help finding agents in Polo, IL.

Illinois auto insurance

Final considerations

Cheap auto insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Polo agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We covered a lot of ways to save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Some small companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as .

When buying insurance coverage, don't be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.