Tightwads Guide to Saving on Thurmont Auto Insurance

Expensive auto insurance can empty your savings account and make it hard to pay other bills. Comparison shopping is free and is an excellent way to tighten up your finances. With so many choices, it's nearly impossible to choose the best insurance company.

It's important to do rate comparisons quite often since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price last year you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the only way to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance in Thurmont, Maryland

Getting better auto insurance pricing is a fairly straight forward process. You just have to invest a few minutes comparing rates from different insurance companies. This can be accomplished in several different ways.

The first (and easiest) way to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This form eliminates the need for separate quotation requests for each company. One form compares rates from auto insurance companies with the best prices.

A harder way to get quotes online is going to the website for each individual company to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let's assume you want comparison quotes from , and . You would have to visit each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular. To view a list of companies in Thurmont, click here.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples coverage limits and deductibles on every quote you get. If you have different liability limits it's impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Thurmont.

Thurmont auto insurance quote

Why some people pay less for insurance in Thurmont

It's important that you understand the rating factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

  • Multiple policies with one company can save - Most auto insurance companies give discounts to people who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Older drivers save more - Teenage drivers in Maryland are statistically proven to be less responsible when driving so auto insurance rates are higher. If you've ever had to add a youthful driver to your policy can really hurt. More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
  • Your credit rating is important - Your credit score is a important factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. So if your credit is lower than you'd like, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your rating. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have poor credit.
  • Small claims can cost you - Insurance companies in Maryland give discounts to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
  • A clean driving record saves money - Even a single moving violation can increase rates forty percent or more. Good drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to file a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.

Save big with these discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but you may find discounts that many people don't even know exist. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked for prior to getting the savings. If you don't get every credit you deserve, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • Braking Control Discount - Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Resident Student - Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have a car may qualify for this discount.
  • Multi-policy Discount - When you have multiple policies with the same company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
  • Good Student Discount - Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance from them.

As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will help reduce your overall premium however.

For a list of providers offering auto insurance discounts in Maryland, click this link.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone's situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Maryland?
  • What are Maryland no-fault laws?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
  • Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
  • Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?

If it's difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to an agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It's fast, free and can help protect your family.

Additional information can be found on the website for the Maryland Insurance Administration located here. Maryland drivers can read consumer alerts, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out industry alerts, and download brochures.

Other useful links include BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this directory of Thurmont insurance agents.

Thurmont auto insurance comparison

In the end, you save

When trying to cut insurance costs, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Throughout this article, we presented many ideas to lower your auto insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the best price on auto insurance is with some of the lesser-known companies. Smaller companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than their larger competitors like .