How to Find the Cheapest Riverdale Auto Insurance

Buying the lowest cost Riverdale auto insurance on the web can be intimidating for beginners to buying insurance online. Since there are so many online companies, how can consumers effectively compare every one to find the lowest price?

It's important to compare prices yearly because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to find out the only way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance is not cheap, but you can get discounts that many people don't even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply when you quote, but less common discounts must be inquired about before you get the savings. If you aren't receiving every discount you deserve, you are throwing money away.

Braking Control Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
Anti-theft System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Payment Discounts - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
Multi-car Discount - Having more than one vehicle on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.

It's important to note that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you're out of luck. But any discount will reduce your premiums.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

Poor credit can mean higher rates - Your credit score is a big factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Therefore, if your credit history is lower than you'd like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit.
Rural vs Urban Areas - Residing in a small town has it's advantages when insuring your vehicles. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. City drivers regularly have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Higher commute times translates into higher accident risk.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Most auto insurance companies give discounts to customers who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can amount to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even with this discount, it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping your vehicle from being stolen.
Liability insurance protects assets - Liability insurance is the protection in the event that a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you might need professional guidance.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
What are California no-fault laws?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

Switch companies and save? Really?

California consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings by Allstate and Progressive. All the ads make the same claim that you can save if you switch to their company.

How can each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk could possibly be between 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who do not match the requirements will be charged a higher premium which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.

That is why drivers should compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

More information is located on the California Department of Insurance website found here. California consumers can find out industry alerts, view agent and company licensing information, and read consumer alerts.

A tidy conclusion

When you buy insurance online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Insureds switch companies for a variety of reasons including policy cancellation, policy non-renewal, extreme rates for teen drivers and even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. It doesn't matter why you want to switch finding a new auto insurance company is less work than it seems.

Lower-priced auto insurance can be found online and also from your neighborhood Riverdale agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.