How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Sea Bright

Overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your personal savings and make it hard to pay other bills. Shopping your coverage around is free and is an excellent way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket. With consumers having so many options when it comes to auto insurance, it's nearly impossible to find the best company.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

Lower rates with optional equipment - Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your 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.
Where you live - Residing in a rural area can save you money when insuring your vehicles. Drivers in populated areas regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population translates into fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
Poor credit can mean higher rates - Having a bad credit score is a huge factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. If your credit history is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by improving your rating. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Most auto insurance companies provide better rates to customers who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it's in your best interest to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are many add-on coverages that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Things like rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and term life insurance may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good when talking to your agent, but if they're wasting money remove them from your policy.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't list every discount very well, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance. If you don't get every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

Payment Discounts - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
Braking Control Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Low Mileage Discounts - Driving fewer miles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn't work that way.

To choose insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in New Jersey, click this link.

How can State Farm, Allstate and GEICO save drivers who switch?

New Jersey consumers can't ignore all the ads for car insurance savings by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim that you can save if you switch to their company.

But how can every company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Drivers who are not a match for this ideal profile will be quoted a higher premium which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. This is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you should compare many company's rates. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Tailor your coverage to you

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is unique so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions can help discover whether you might need professional guidance.

Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
Should I buy additional glass protection?

If it's difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Additional detailed information can be read at the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website. New Jersey consumers can view a list of available companies, view agent and company licensing information, find out industry alerts, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include this page for auto insurance prices in New Jersey and this list of insurance agents in Sea Bright, NJ.

A tidy conclusion

When shopping online for auto insurance, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice full coverage and found out when filing a claim that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

Affordable auto insurance can be found online and also from your neighborhood Sea Bright agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.