Finding Cheap Sweet Home Auto Insurance

No one cherishes buying auto insurance, particularly when their premiums are too high.

You have multiple to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Sweet Home

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine prices.

  • Claim-free discounts can add up - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can look forward to either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Companies in Oregon give lower rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. Your insurance policy is intended for larger claims.
  • One company can mean more discounts - The majority of auto insurance companies provide better rates to insureds who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Careers like judges, executives and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates because of high stress levels and long work days. Conversely, professions such as scientists, engineers and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
  • Being married can save on auto insurance - Having a wife or husband actually saves money on your auto insurance policy. Having a significant other is viewed as being more responsible and it's proven that married couples file fewer claims.

Finding Auto Insurance in Sweet Home, OR

There are several ways of comparing rates from different Sweet Home insurance companies. One of the best ways to find the cheapest insurance rates is to perform an online rate comparison. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

  1. The fastest way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This form eliminates the need for a different quote for each company you want a rate for. A single form gets you coverage quotes .
  2. A slightly less efficient method to compare rate quotes consists of going to the website of each company to complete their respective quote request forms. For sake of this example, let's assume you want to compare , and . To get each rate you have to spend time on each company's site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular.

    To view a list of companies in Sweet Home, click here.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use identical coverages on every quote you get. If each company quotes different limits and deductibles on each one it will be impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Sweet Home. Having just a slight variation in coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that more quotes helps locate lower pricing.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not list every discount very clearly, so we researched both the well known as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
  • Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents pay much less when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Paperwork-free - A few companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
  • Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear for a set time period.
  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

To choose insurance companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Oregon, click this link.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all make the same claim about savings if you move to them. How does each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't qualify for these standards will be quoted a higher premium which leads to the customer not buying. The ad wording is "customers that switch" not "people who quote" save money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you need to get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

How to know if you need help

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
  • Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Even more information is located at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Visitors are able to download brochures, read consumer alerts, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

Sweet Home auto insurance quote

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where an insured cut liability coverage limits only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

Cheaper auto insurance is definitely available both online and with local Sweet Home insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.