Getting Low-Cost Salem Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy overpriced car insurance? Trust us when we tell you you're not alone.

With consumers having so many different company options, it can be diffult for consumers to choose the cheapest company.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates at least once a year due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best price a couple years back you may be paying too much now. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you're about to learn how to use online quotes to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Comprehensive Salem Car Insurance Comparison Quotes

The are a couple different ways of comparing rates from car insurance companies in your area. The recommended way to compare insurance prices involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.

The first (and easiest) way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form click here to open form in new window. This method saves time by eliminating a different quote for each company you want a rate for. Completing one form gets you price quotes .

A slightly less efficient method to shop for car insurance online requires visiting the website for each individual company to complete a price quote. For sake of this example, we'll assume you want to compare rates from , and . To get each rate you have to spend time on each company's site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Salem, click here.

The least efficient method to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to insurance agents' offices. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you want the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. You can, however, compare the best prices online but buy from a local insurance agent and you'll learn how to do that later.

Whichever way you use, compare apples-to-apples quote information for every company. If you enter mixed coverages you can't possibly decipher which rate is best in Salem. Just a small difference in limits may cause a big price difference. Just keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes gives you a better chance of getting the best offered rates.

Salem Rates are Influenced by These Factors

It's important that you understand some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

One company can mean more discounts - Many companies give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it's still a good idea to shop around to ensure the best deal. You may still find a better deal by splitting coverages up.
Don't get talked into coverage you don't need - There are a ton of extra coverages you can purchase when buying car insurance. Things like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and term life insurance are examples of these. These coverages may sound good initially, but if they're wasting money remove them from your policy.
Women pay lower rates - Statistics demonstrate women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes have accidents in similar percentages, but men have costlier accidents. Men also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Young males are the most expensive to insure and thus pay the highest rates.
Bad driving skills means higher rates - Your driving record has a big impact on rates. Careful drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. Just one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Drivers who get flagrant violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
Older drivers save more - Youthful drivers in South Carolina are known to be less responsible when behind the wheel so car insurance rates are higher. Older insureds tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.
Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Vehicles with high crash test scores are cheaper to insure. Safer cars reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts passed on to you as lower rates.
Credit scores impact car insurance rates - Your credit history is a big factor in calculating your car insurance rates. If your credit score is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your rating. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with lower credit scores.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies don't necessarily list every available discount very well, so we took the time to find both the well known and also the lesser-known car insurance savings.

Theft Prevention Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
No Charge for an Accident - Some insurance companies allow you one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a set time period.
Discount for Good Grades - Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Resident Student - Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.

It's important to note that most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, you're out of luck.

For a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in South Carolina, follow this link.

Additional detailed information can be found at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, discover disciplinary actions, learn about insurance regulations, and file complaints about a company.

Other useful links include BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this Salem agent directory.

Do the work, save more money

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, don't be tempted to reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Lower-priced car insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Salem agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some car insurance companies may not provide online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

We just presented many ways to lower your car insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more quotes you get, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the best prices are with a small mutual company. Smaller companies often have lower prices on specific markets compared to the large companies like .