Tightwads Tips for Saving on St Joe Auto Insurance

Scraping up a payment for overpriced auto insurance can empty your checking account and put a big crunch on your finances. Doing a price comparison is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to slash your bill and have more diposable income.

Drivers have multiple to pick from, and although it's a good thing to have multiple companies, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

It's important to compare prices quite often because prices are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price last year you will most likely find a better rate today. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance on the internet, so we're going to give you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Shopping for affordable protection in St Joe is easy if you know what you're doing. Essentially anyone who is required by state law to have auto insurance stands a good chance to be able to lower their premiums. But Arkansas drivers do need to know how insurance companies compete online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but you can get discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be asked for prior to getting the savings.

Anti-lock Brake System - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Resident Student - Kids in college who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance.
E-sign - A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
No Accidents - Drivers who don't have accidents pay much less compared to drivers who are more careless.
Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy.
Own a Home - Being a homeowner can help you save on auto insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your premiums.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Every insured's situation is different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether or not you may require specific advice.

Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Arkansas?
Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in St Joe?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Companies like Allstate and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. All the ads make an identical promise that you'll save big after switching to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk could possibly be over the age of 50, insures multiple vehicles, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't measure up to these standards will be charged a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. This is how companies can claim big savings.

That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

More sites with auto insurance information

Much more information about auto insurance in Arkansas is located on the website for the Arkansas Insurance Department. Click here for link. Arkansas consumers can read consumer alerts, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and get help finding coverage.

Also read more on BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this directory of St Joe insurance agents.

Do the work, save more money

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, drivers have reduced collision coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be bought online and also from your neighborhood St Joe agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. A few companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.