Free Guide to Saving Money on Temecula Auto Insurance Online

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you there are a lot of people in Temecula just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy. Drivers have so many to pick from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare prices at least once a year because prices are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the lowest rates last year you can probably find a better price now. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to find lower rates on auto insurance.

Buying car insurance in Temecula is quite easy. If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. California drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to get comparison rates on the web.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" used by your company to calculate your rates.

  • Careful drivers pay lower rates - Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even a single moving violation can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who don't get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations like DUI or reckless driving may be required to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save - Safer cars get lower rates. Safer cars protect occupants better and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
  • Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are quite a few extra coverages you can purchase on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, better glass coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. They may seem good when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
  • Drive less and save money - The higher the mileage driven in a year the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Verify your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage - Your policy's liability coverage provides coverage in the event that a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It will provide for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.
  • Adjust deductibles and save - Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, collision with an animal, and windstorm damage. The deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The higher the amount you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
  • Men are more aggressive - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn't mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but men tend to have more serious accidents. Men also get more serious tickets such as DWI and reckless driving.

California auto insurance

Save big with these discounts

Car insurance companies don't always advertise every available discount very clearly, so we break down both well-publicized and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
  • Low Mileage - Low mileage vehicles can earn a substantially lower rate.
  • Safety Course Discount - Taking a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
  • Life Insurance Discount - Larger companies have a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
  • Organization Discounts - Participating in a qualifying organization may earn a discount on your policy.
  • Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles with the same company qualifies for this discount.
  • Save over 55 - If you're over the age of 55, you may receive a small decrease in premiums.

It's important to understand that some credits don't apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn't quite work that way.

To choose providers with discount auto insurance rates in California, click here.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

California consumers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm and Allstate. All the ads have a common claim of big savings if you change your coverage to them.

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

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who fall outside these standards will be charged a higher premium and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. That's the way insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. That is why you should get as many comparisons as possible. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the California Department of Insurance website. California consumers can file complaints about a company, find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include NAIC.org's Understanding your Policy and this directory of Temecula insurance agents.

auto insurance in Temecula

A tidy conclusion

You just read a lot of ways to save on auto insurance. It's most important to understand that the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the lowest rates come from a lesser-known regional company. Some small companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than their larger competitors like .

Low-cost auto insurance is attainable online as well as from independent agents in Temecula, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies don't offer online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.