Free Guide to Paying Less for Salem Auto Insurance Online

Tired of not being able to afford each month for car insurance? You're in the same situation as the majority of other car owners in Arkansas.

Because there are so many insurance companies to choose from, it can be challenging to find the right company.

Finding affordable coverage in Salem is quite easy. In a nutshell, every vehicle owner who has to buy auto insurance stands a good chance to be able to reduce their rates. Nevertheless, Arkansas consumers do need to know the way insurance companies sell insurance online and apply this information to your search.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Always keep insurance in force - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse is a guaranteed way to bump up your auto insurance costs. Not only will rates go up, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance may earn you a revoked license or a big fine.You may need to file a SR-22 with the Arkansas DMV.
  • Keep rates low by being claim-free - If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Companies in Arkansas award discounts to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Your insurance policy is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • What type of vehicle do you drive? - The make and model of the car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are for small economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
  • Cautious drivers pay less - A bad driving record has a big impact on rates. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than bad drivers. Even one citation may increase your cost by twenty percent. If you have serious violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Bump up deductibles to save - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, or theft. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Your occupation can affect rates - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Careers like lawyers, business owners and stock brokers are shown to have the highest rates because of job stress and long work days. On the other hand, occupations like farmers, students and homemakers pay the least.
  • Proper usage rating affects rates - The more miles you rack up on your car every year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your auto insurance policy properly reflects how each vehicle is driven.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage - Liability insurance will protect you when you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.

Cheap Salem Auto Insurance Comparisons

Comparing auto insurance rates can be a daunting task if you don't understand the best way to get rate quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to insurance agencies in Salem, or you could save time and use online quotes for quick rates.

Most of the larger companies participate in a marketplace that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each company returns a competitive quote determined by their information. This saves time by eliminating quote forms for each company you want a rate for. To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

One minor caviat to pricing coverage this way is you are unable to specify which providers to get quotes from. So if you prefer to pick from a list of companies to compare, we have a listing of auto insurance companies in Arkansas. Click here for list of insurance companies in Arkansas.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you're using apples-to-apples coverages and limits with every price quote. If your comparisons have different deductibles it's impossible to find the best deal in Salem. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits could mean much higher rates. And when price shopping your coverage, having more price comparisons gives you a better chance of getting a lower rate.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies don't always advertise every discount very well, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Seat Belts Save - Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Good Students Pay Less - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply until age 25.
  • Homeowners Pay Less - Simply owning a home can help you save on auto insurance because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • No Claims - Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Driver's Ed - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class in school.

It's important to understand that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn't quite work that way.

To choose insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Arkansas, click here to view.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all make an identical promise of big savings if you switch your policy. But how can every company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer might be a mature driver, is a homeowner, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential customers who don't meet this ideal profile will be quoted a more expensive rate and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's why insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you need to compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the Arkansas Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to find a variety of consumer forms, download brochures, learn about specific coverages, and file complaints about a company.

Other informative sites include this site for auto insurance information in Arkansas and this list of agents in Salem, AR.

Affordable insurance is out there

We covered many tips how you can compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the best price on auto insurance is with some of the lesser-known companies. These smaller insurers can often provide lower rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like .

Low-cost auto insurance is available both online in addition to many Salem insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.