Tightwads Tips for Saving on Santee Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, there are a lot of people in Santee just like you who feel imprisoned 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.

Finding affordable coverage in Santee is not that difficult. If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to save some money using this information. Although South Carolina drivers do need to know how companies determine prices and take advantage of how the system works.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes some of the factors that factor into prices.

Rates may be lower depending on your job - Careers like doctors, business owners and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates in part from high stress levels and lengthy work days. Conversely, occupations like actors, engineers and the unemployed pay the least.
Safer cars cost less to insure - Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart car theft.
Drive less and save money - The more you drive in a year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because it can save money.
Pay less after the wedding - Being married actually saves money on your policy. Having a significant other usually means you are more responsible it has been statistically shown that being married results in fewer claims.
Don't skimp on liability - The liability section of your policy provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Adjust deductibles and save - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be running into the backend of another car, vandalism, and burglary. The more money the insured has to pay upfront, the less your auto insurance will be.

How to Compare Santee Auto Insurance Costs

The are a couple different ways of comparing rate quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. One of the best ways to find the cheapest insurance rates is to perform an online rate comparison. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

The fastest way consumers can analyze rates is a comparison rater form click here to open form in new window. This easy form saves time by eliminating boring form submissions for every auto insurance company. Completing one form will return price quotes from all major companies.
A less efficient way to shop for auto insurance online consists of visiting the website of each company to complete a price quote. For instance, we'll pretend you want to compare rates from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, and that's why the first method is more popular.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Santee, click here.
The least recommended method of comparing rate quotes is driving around to local Santee insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the trained guidance of a local Santee agent. However, consumers can find lower rates online but buy from a local insurance agent.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but compare identical deductibles and coverage limits for every company. If you use different values for each quote you will not be able to decipher which rate is best in Santee. Quoting even small variations in coverages could mean much higher rates. Just keep in mind that having more price comparisons helps you find better pricing.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise every discount very clearly, so here is a list both well-publicized and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using.

No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Low Mileage Discounts - Keeping the miles down can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Pay Upfront and Save - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Military Discounts - Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.
Paperwork-free - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy over the internet.
Organization Discounts - Participating in a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for auto insurance.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, you won't be that lucky.

To choose insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in South Carolina, click here to view.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use television and radio advertisements. They all make an identical promise about savings if you move your policy. How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and has a high credit rating. A driver who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for these standards will be quoted more money and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can truthfully state the savings. This emphasizes why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Even more information is available at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina consumers can read industry bulletins, find disaster information, view a list of available companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in South Carolina and this list of insurance agents in Santee.

Final considerations

The cheapest auto insurance is possible online in addition to many Santee insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.