10 Methods to Save on Car Insurance in Riverdale

Expensive car insurance can overdraw your bank account and put a big crunch on your finances. Comparison shopping is free and is an excellent way to make sure you're not throwing money away. With consumers having so many companies and agents to choose from, it is very difficult to choose the cheapest insurance company.

It's important to compare prices quite often since rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best price last year there may be better deals available now. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you're about to learn one of the best ways to find better coverage at a better price.

Illinois car insurance

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance companies don't necessarily list every available discount very well, so we took the time to find some of the more common and the more hidden ways to save on car insurance. If you don't get every credit you deserve, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • Good Student Discount - Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Resident Student - Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
  • New Car Discount - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can save up to 30% due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Early Switch Discount - A few companies offer discounts for switching to them before your current policy expires. It's a savings of about 10%.
  • Theft Prevention System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • 55 and Retired - Older drivers may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Government Employees - Simply working for the federal government may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
  • Claim Free - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially compared to frequent claim filers.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren't that generous.

For a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in Illinois, click this link.

How to Buy Riverdale Car Insurance Online

Most major insurance companies provide price estimates on the web. Getting quotes is quite simple as you simply enter your coverage information into the quote form. Once entered, their rating system will obtain reports for credit and driving violations and provides a quote based on many factors. This streamlines rate comparisons, but the work required to visit many different websites and complete many quote forms is not the best way to spend an afternoon. Unfortunately, it is important to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find a lower rate.

A more efficient way to locate the lowest prices is to use a quote form that analyzes rates from a bunch of companies at once. It's a real time-saver, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes online shopping much easier. After sending your information, it gets priced and you can select any or none of the quotes that you receive. If the quotes result in lower rates, you can simply submit the application and buy the policy. The whole process takes 15 minutes at the most and you'll know if lower rates are available.

To find out how much you're overpaying now, click here and enter your information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you copy the coverage information identical to your current policy. This helps ensure you will be getting rate quotes based on identical coverages.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no "perfect" insurance plan. Everyone's needs are different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if you would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Illinois?
  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Riverdale?
  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
  • Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It's fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

A tidy conclusion

You just learned some good ideas how to get a better price on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the most savings is with an unexpected company. These companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as .

As you prepare to switch companies, don't be tempted to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap car insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Riverdale, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who don't offer online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.