9 Methods to Save on Car Insurance in Portola California

Overpriced car insurance can dwindle your bank account and put a big crunch on your finances. Shopping your coverage around is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to lower your monthly bill. You have so many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

How much can you save with these nine discounts?

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, buy you may qualify for discounts to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but less common discounts must be specifically requested before you will receive the discount. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

  • Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
  • Paperwork-free - Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
  • Distant Student - Kids in college who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
  • Life Insurance - Some companies give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
  • Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
  • Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with a few car insurance companies.
  • Early Switch Discount - Some companies give discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. It's a savings of about 10%.
  • Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts up to 30%.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like it's possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

compare Portola car insurance rates

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Consumers in California get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from the likes of State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise that you can save after switching your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has excellent credit. Any new insured who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't meet these standards will be quoted more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. This is how insurance companies can make those claims.

This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.

More information is located on the website for the California Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

A tidy conclusion

Affordable car insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents in Portola, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

While you're price shopping online, it's very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.