Consumer Tested Strategies to Save on Tehachapi Auto Insurance

Have you had enough of trying to scrape together enough money each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as many other California drivers.

Online insurance companies like GEICO and Progressive constantly blast consumers with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Higher safety ratings means cheaper insurance - Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Optional equipment can affect rates - Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder car theft.
  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Occupations such as lawyers, business owners and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress levels and long work days. Other occupations like farmers, historians and retirees receive lower rates.
  • Pay less after the wedding - Having a spouse helps lower the price on your policy. Having a spouse means you're more responsible and it's statistically proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Liability coverage protects you - Your policy's liability coverage will protect you if you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.
  • The more you drive the more you pay - The higher the mileage driven every year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your auto insurance declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle.
  • Low deductibles can be expensive - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be colliding with a building, damage from fire, or theft. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.

auto insurance in Tehachapi

How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs in Tehachapi

There are several ways you can shop for auto insurance but one way is more efficient than others. You can spend your afternoon talking to insurance companies in Tehachapi, or you can utilize online quoting to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.

Most of the larger companies enroll in a system that allows shoppers to submit one quote, and at least one company provides a quote for coverage. This saves time by eliminating form submissions to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The only drawback to getting quotes like this is you can't choose which providers to get pricing from. So if you want to select from a list of companies to compare prices, we put together a list of low cost auto insurance companies in California. Click here to view list.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but double check that you are using exactly the same coverage limits for each comparison quote. If you use differing limits it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate in Tehachapi. Quoting even small variations in coverages may cause a big price difference. It's important to know that obtaining a wide range of quotes will improve the odds of getting better pricing.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise all available discounts in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both the well known and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using.

  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Low mileage vehicles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver's education if offered at their school.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • No Accidents - Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared with accident-prone drivers.
  • Paperless Signup - A few companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy digitally online.
  • Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a home in Tehachapi can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

To choose insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Tehachapi, click here to view.

Is there truth in advertising?

21st Century, Allstate and State Farm consistently run television and radio advertisements. All the companies make an identical promise about savings if you change to their company. How can each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don't measure up to the requirements must pay higher prices and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's why companies can truthfully advertise the savings. This illustrates why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Even more information can be found at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to find disaster information, view a list of available companies, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

compare Tehachapi auto insurance rates

Affordable insurance is out there

Cheap auto insurance is attainable both online and also from your neighborhood Tehachapi agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, it's a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.