How to Find Low-Cost Rathdrum Auto Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the number of auto insurance companies in Rathdrum? Many other consumers are too. People have so many options that it can turn into a ton of work to find lower rates.

It's important to compare prices at least once a year because prices are constantly changing. Just because you had the best deal six months ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the only way to find lower rates on auto insurance.

More discounts equal less premium

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but discounts can save money and there are some available that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically before being credited. If you don't get every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

Sign Online - Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application online.
Defensive Driver - Taking a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
Early Signing - A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts until age 25.
Multi-car Discount - Having more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will help reduce your premiums.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

Being married is a good thing - Being married can actually save you money on auto insurance. It translates into being more mature and it's statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Do you need those extra coverages? - There are many extra coverages that you can buy when buying auto insurance. Things like personal injury protection, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. These coverages may sound good at first, but now you might not need them so remove them from your policy.
What type of vehicle do you drive? - The performance level of the car you own makes a huge difference in your rates. The most favorable rates are usually for low performance passenger cars, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
Cautious drivers pay less - Your driving citation history has a big impact on rates. Drivers who don't get tickets receive lower rates than bad drivers. Even a single speeding ticket can bump up the cost forty percent or more. Drivers who have serious citations such as DUI or reckless driving may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
Adjust deductibles and save - Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims would be colliding with a building, collision with an animal, and burglary. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. The more money you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? - Most insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you may still want to compare other company rates to verify if the discount is saving money. You may still be able to find a better deal by splitting coverages up.
Your occupation can affect rates - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Jobs such as doctors, social workers and stock brokers have the highest rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. On the other hand, jobs such as actors, students and homemakers get better rates.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Consumers in Idaho get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save if you switch your coverage to them.

But how can every company claim to save you money?

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that earns them a profit. An example of a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, has no tickets, and has a high credit rating. 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 will have to pay higher prices and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much money. That's the way insurance companies can state the savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

More information is available on the Idaho Department of Insurance website through this link. Visitors are able to get help finding coverage, discover disciplinary actions, and learn about specific coverages.

Also read more on this page for Idaho auto insurance and see this list of insurance agents in Rathdrum.

Best coverage at the best price

Affordable auto insurance is available both online as well as from independent agents in Rathdrum, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

We covered a lot of techniques to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the biggest savings come from an unexpected company.

As you restructure your insurance plan, don't be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.