Stillwater Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Are you intimidated by the wide range of auto insurance choices in Stillwater? You're not the only one! There are so many companies to choose from that it can turn into a ton of work to find better rates.

Take advantage of discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there are discounts available to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.

Accident Free - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less when compared to drivers who are more careless.
Multiple Vehicles - Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Distant Student - Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Driver Safety - Taking part in a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
Passive Restraint Discount - Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down your overall premium however.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Careers like real estate brokers, architects and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates because of high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, professions such as actors, engineers and performers have the lowest average rates.
Do you know your deductibles? - Your deductibles define the amount you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and burglary. The more expense you're willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
Older drivers pay less - Teen drivers in Minnesota are known to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
Pleasure use saves money - Driving more miles in a year the higher your rate. Most companies apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are a ton of extra coverages that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and motor club memberships are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment when you first buy your policy, but if you don't need them eliminate them to save money.
Better credit means lower rates - Having a bad credit history is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. So if your credit history is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have lower credit scores.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all say the same thing about savings after switching to them. How does each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, and has a short commute. A driver who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't qualify for these standards will be quoted higher prices which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers that switch" not "people who quote" save money. That's the way companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

This emphasizes why drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about Minnesota auto insurance

Additional information can be read on the Minnesota Department of Commerce website located here. Minnesota consumers can read industry bulletins, report car insurance fraud, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Also read more on this online resource for auto insurance quotes in Minnesota and this list of insurance agents in Stillwater.

Shop smart and save

Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, lack of trust in their agent, not issuing a premium refund and even delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.

Cheaper auto insurance can be bought online and with local Stillwater insurance agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed full coverage and found out when filing a claim that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.