How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Reedsport

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you many Reedsport consumers feel financially strained by their auto insurance policy.

There is such a variety of to pick from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

Shopping for the cheapest protection in Reedsport is easy if you know what you're doing. Essentially every driver who is required by state law to have auto insurance stands a good chance to be able to cut their insurance bill. But Oregon consumers do need to know how big insurance companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that could result in big savings.

Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Vehicles with good safety scores are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Don't sacrifice liability coverage - Liability coverage provides coverage if you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.
Marriage pays dividends - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Having a spouse usually means you are more mature than a single person it has been statistically shown that being married results in fewer claims.
Lower miles equals lower premium - Driving more miles in a year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Do you know your deductibles? - Your deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, or theft. The more the insured has to pay upfront, the less your auto insurance will be.
A lapse in coverage is a bad thing - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a fast way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance might get you a steep fine or even jail time.You may then be required to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Oregon motor vehicle department.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be inquired about prior to receiving the credit.

Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles with the same company qualifies for this discount.
No Charge for an Accident - Certain companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven't had any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Homeowners Discount - Owning a home in Reedsport may trigger a auto insurance policy discount due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
Use Seat Belts - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay much less when compared with accident-prone drivers.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver's education if it's offered in school.
Federal Government Employee - Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount depending on your company.
Organization Discounts - Being a member of a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your premiums.

To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Oregon, follow this link.

The auto insurance bait and switch

21st Century, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads in print and on television. All the companies say the same thing that you'll save big after switching your policy. How does each company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, a profitable customer might be between 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't measure up to these standards must pay higher prices which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can advertise the savings.

This illustrates why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about Oregon auto insurance

Much more information about auto insurance in Oregon is located on the website for the Oregon Insurance Division. Click here for link. Visitors are able to find disaster information, find out which companies have the most complaints, get help finding coverage, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this resource for Oregon auto insurance prices and this page of Reedsport insurance agents.

Shop smart and save

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be sourced both online in addition to many Reedsport insurance agents, so compare prices from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.