Tightwads Guide for Saving on Prairie City Auto Insurance

Nobody I know looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much. Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all promote huge savings with fancy advertisements and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

If you are insured now or need new coverage, you can learn to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Prairie City is easy if you know what you're doing. Iowa vehicle owners just need to know the most effective way to compare company rates online.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Auto insurance companies don't necessarily list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we researched some of the best known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with a few auto insurance companies.
Passive Restraint Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents pay much less when compared to drivers who are more careless.
Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class in high school.
Anti-lock Brake System - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Military Rewards - Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.
Senior Discount - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
Low Mileage Discounts - Keeping the miles down could be rewarded with discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Paperwork-free - Certain companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up digitally online.
Defensive Driving Course - Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more if you qualify.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn't make money that way.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Prairie City

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine prices.

Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Companies in Iowa award cheaper rates to people who file claims infrequently. If you file claims often, you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
Your credit rating is important - Having a bad credit rating is a important factor in determining your rates. Drivers with high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower ratings. If your credit can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Careers like judges, business owners and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates because of stressful work requirements and lengthy work days. Other occupations like scientists, historians and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more you drive each year the higher your rate. Most companies price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance policy is rated on the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help highlight whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?

If you're not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can help protect your family.

Is there truth in advertising?

Iowa drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by companies like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise that you'll save big if you move to them.

How can each company say the same thing?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer might be profiled as a mature driver, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't measure up to the requirements will be quoted a more expensive rate and ends up with business not being written. The ad wording is "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That is how companies can advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's not possible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

More detailed Iowa auto insurance information is located at the Iowa Insurance Division website. Iowa drivers can download brochures, find out industry alerts, read industry bulletins, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

And the best car insurance company is...

Throughout this article, we presented many tips how you can reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the best price on auto insurance is with the least-expected company. Regional companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like .

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped collision coverage and learned later that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.