Top Ways to Save on Stevenson Auto Insurance

I can't think of anyone who looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof. Companies like GEICO and Progressive promote their brand names with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

It's important to compare prices periodically because insurance rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. So just forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the tricks you need to know to find lower rates on auto insurance.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

Where you live - Living in a small town can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic to deal with and longer commutes to work. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
Traffic violations increase rates - Just one moving violation can bump up the cost by twenty percent. Drivers who don't get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who have flagrant citations like DUI or reckless driving may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
Men pay higher rates - Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women have accidents in similar percentages, but the males have costlier accidents. They also receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Young males tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as lawyers, business owners and dentists have the highest average rates in part from high stress and long work hours. Other occupations like scientists, historians and performers get better rates.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance don't list all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both well-publicized and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
Good Student - This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
Claim Free - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially as compared to accident-prone drivers.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn't work that way.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Stevenson, click here to view.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Alabama consumers can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance from the likes of GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save after switching your coverage to them.

How can each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be over the age of 50, a clean driving record, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't qualify for the requirements will have to pay a higher premium 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 much money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. Because of the profiling, you should get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Insurance agents can help

When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation may require specific advice.

What are the best liability limits?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Alabama?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?

If you're not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Additional detailed information can be found at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Alabama consumers can view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about a company, learn about insurance regulations, and read industry bulletins.

A tidy conclusion

When shopping online for auto insurance, it's a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price.

In this article, we presented some good ideas how you can save on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. You may even discover the biggest savings come from a smaller regional carrier. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost compared to the large companies like .