Quote Tacoma Auto Insurance Prices With These Tricks

Finding lower premiums on Tacoma auto insurance is nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with buying insurance online. There are so many choices that it can be a lot of work to compare prices in Tacoma.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates once or twice a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best deal on your last policy there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So just forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to learn the only way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

If you have a policy now or are shopping for new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find better prices and possibly find even better coverage. This information will instruct you on how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. Washington vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to get comparison quotes on the web.

Tacoma Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • Discounts for married couples - Being married helps lower the price on your auto insurance policy. It means you're more mature than a single person and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Better crash test results mean better rates - Vehicles with high crash test scores tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.
  • Liability coverage is peace of mind - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It will provide legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
  • Add-on coverages can add up - There are quite a few extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like roadside assistance, towing coverage and term life insurance may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea at first, but if they're wasting money get rid of them and save.
  • Teen drivers pay high rates - Mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations. Teen drivers have a tendency to be careless and easily distracted in a vehicle therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
  • Your location is important - Being located in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Drivers who live in large Washington cities regularly have much more traffic to deal with and much longer commute distances. Higher commute times means more change of being in an accident.

Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Tacoma

Reducing your insurance rates can be quick and easy. Just spend a few minutes on the computer comparing rate quotes provided by online insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The fastest way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This form eliminates the need for separate quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Taking the time to complete one form will get you price quotes from many national carriers. This is perfect if you don't have a lot of time.
  2. A less efficient way to compare rate quotes requires a visit to each individual company website and request a quote. For instance, we'll pretend you want rates from , and . To get each rate you have to go to every website to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    To view a list of companies in Tacoma, click here.
  3. The hardest way of getting rate comparisons is to waste gas driving to local Tacoma insurance agencies. Buying insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the personal advice that only a license agent can provide. Drivers can find lower rates online and still use a local agent.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just double check that you are using the exact same coverage limits with every price quote. If you are comparing differing limits it will be impossible to find the best deal in Tacoma.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always list all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If they aren't giving you every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Tacoma may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house requires personal responsibility.
  • Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
  • Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Organization Discounts - Participating in certain professional organizations could trigger savings on auto insurance.
  • Safety Course Discount - Successfully completing a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • College Student - Any of your kids who live away from home and don't have a car may qualify for this discount.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy life insurance.
  • Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
  • Braking Control Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

To choose companies with discount auto insurance rates in Tacoma, click this link.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Washington consumers can't ignore all the ads for the lowest price auto insurance by State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to make the same claim that you'll save big if you change to their company.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has great credit. A driver who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will have to pay a more expensive rate which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's why companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

More detailed Washington auto insurance information is available at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Washington consumers can get help finding coverage, view a list of available companies, and find disaster information.

compare Tacoma auto insurance rates

And the best car insurance company is...

Discount auto insurance is attainable online and also from your neighborhood Tacoma agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

Insureds leave their current company for many reasons like an unsatisfactory settlement offer, extreme rates for teen drivers, delays in responding to claim requests or even questionable increases in premium. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right auto insurance provider is easier than you think.

When you buy insurance online, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate.