8 Best Tricks to Slash Car Insurance Costs in Shinnston

Nobody looks forward to paying for car insurance, particularly when they are paying too much. Big companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive continually hit you with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

If you have a policy now or are shopping for new coverage, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Buying car insurance in Shinnston is quite easy. West Virginia drivers only need an understanding of the proper way to get comparison quotes on the web.

Take advantage of discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. Some trigger automatically when you get a quote, but a few must be inquired about before you will receive the discount. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with a few car insurance companies.
Good Student - Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break when shopping for car insurance.
Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Save with a New Car - Putting insurance coverage on a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a discount up to 10%.

It's important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your overall premium however.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a "best" method to buy coverage. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent's advice.

Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
Am I getting all the discounts available?
Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It's fast, doesn't cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

Are car insurance companies telling the truth?

Consumers in West Virginia get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all say the same thing of big savings if you change your policy.

How can each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer might be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has great credit. Any new insured who fits that profile receives the best rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted higher premiums which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

This emphasizes why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It's just too difficult to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Additional car insurance information is located on the website for the West Virginia Insurance Commission found here. Visitors are able to download brochures, file complaints about a company, find out which companies have the most complaints, and view a list of available companies.

In the end, you save

We just covered many ways to reduce car insurance prices online. It's most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies. Regional companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than their larger competitors like .

Low-cost car insurance can be sourced both online in addition to many Shinnston insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.