Top Ways to Save on Seabrook Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy high-priced auto insurance? Believe me when I say many consumers are feeling buyer's remorse and feel like there's no way out.

There is such a variety of to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes at least once a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest rates two years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the tricks you need to know to save on auto insurance.

Save big with these discounts

Car insurance companies do not list all their discounts very clearly, so we break down both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Sign Online - A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy over the internet.
  • Defensive Driver - Successfully completing a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
  • Braking Control Discount - Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Save over 55 - Mature drivers may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
  • Military Discounts - Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Drivers who require all occupants to use their safety belts could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

To see a list of companies offering auto insurance discounts in Texas, click this link.

Comprehensive Seabrook Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

There are several ways of comparing rate quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. The best method to find competitive insurance rates is to perform an online rate comparison. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

  • The best way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This form eliminates the need for multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Completing one form compares rates from multiple low-cost companies.
  • A less efficient way to get quotes online is going to each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, let's say you want to compare rates from , and . To get each rate you have to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Seabrook, click here.
  • The hardest method to compare rates is to waste gas driving to local insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you prefer the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. Drivers can obtain prices from the web and still use a local agent.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just compare identical coverage limits and deductibles on every quote you get. If you use different liability limits it will be next to impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Seabrook. Having just a slight variation in coverages could mean much higher rates. Just keep in mind that having more price comparisons helps locate the best rates.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" that factor into rates.

  • Being married can save on auto insurance - Having a spouse can actually save you money on your auto insurance policy. It usually means you are more responsible and it's statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
  • Little extras can really add up - There are many extra coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, towing coverage and membership fees may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment at first, but your needs may have changed so eliminate them to save money.
  • Multi-policy discounts can save money - Most auto insurance companies will give a discount to customers who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still be able to find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.
  • Battle of the sexes - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn't necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. Both sexes tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage. They also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
  • Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Vehicles with high crash test scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
  • Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse is a fast way to increase your auto insurance rates. Not only will you pay more, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.Then you may be required to file a SR-22 with the Texas DMV.
  • Your job and insurance rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as lawyers, executives and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates attributed to high stress levels and long work days. Conversely, professions such as actors, engineers and homemakers pay the least.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you switch your policy. How does each company make almost identical claims?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and chooses high deductibles. A driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who fall outside these standards will have to pay a higher premium which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can truthfully state the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Shop smart and save

Cheaper auto insurance can be found online in addition to many Seabrook insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

When buying insurance coverage, it's very important that you do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.

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Find out more about auto insurance

Even more information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can get help finding coverage, discover disciplinary actions, read consumer alerts, and learn about insurance regulations.