How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Car Insurance in Prosperity

Having to pay for overpriced car insurance can empty your personal savings and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to tighten up your finances. Big companies like GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with ad campaigns and consumers find it hard to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

If you have a current car insurance policy or need a new policy, you can learn to get lower rates and still get good coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Prosperity is quite easy. West Virginia drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to compare rates over the internet.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies do not advertise all available discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the more common as well as the least known car insurance savings. If you aren't receiving every discount you deserve, you are throwing money away.

Driver Safety - Taking a driver safety course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
Discount for Life Insurance - Larger companies have better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
Own a Home - Owning a home in Prosperity may trigger a car insurance policy discount due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% depending on your company.
Early Switch Discount - Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. It's a savings of about 10%.
Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.

It's important to understand that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn't quite work that way.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Prosperity

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in better car insurance rates.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine premiums.

Policy add-ons can waste money - There are a ton of add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your policy. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, accidental death and motor club memberships are examples of these. They may seem good when you first buy your policy, but if you don't need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
Proper usage rating affects rates - Driving more miles in a year's time the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles that are left in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your car insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage.
Higher deductibles cost less - Your deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend before your car insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, covers damage that occurs to your car. Examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount you're willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
You might want pay the small claims yourself - If you file claims often, you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance companies in West Virginia provide cheaper rates to policyholders who file claims infrequently. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
How's your driving record? - Good drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Just one citation can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with flagrant tickets like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions are required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Everyone's situation is a little different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions can help discover whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
What are the financial responsibility laws in West Virginia?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can help protect your family.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings by companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies say the same thing of big savings after switching to them.

How can each company make the same claim?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a profitable customer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't qualify for the requirements must pay a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. This illustrates why drivers should compare many company's rates. Because you never know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the West Virginia Insurance Commission website. Consumers can discover disciplinary actions, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, report car insurance fraud, and download brochures.

In the end, you save

Low-cost car insurance can be sourced from both online companies and with local Prosperity insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.