Compare Toledo Auto Insurance Prices With These Tricks

Are you overwhelmed by the number of auto insurance choices in Toledo? Many other drivers are as well. Drivers have so many companies to choose from that it can turn into a lot of work to find the best price.

It's important to compare rates at least once a year since insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best deal on your last policy there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So just block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because it's time to teach you the only way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

This information will tell you how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to save some money using these methods. Although Illinois vehicle owners do need to know how companies determine prices and take advantage of how the system works.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

The more you drive the more you pay - The more you drive in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars used primarily for pleasure use can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Double check that your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because it can save money.
Safer cars cost less to insure - Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and better occupant protection means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart auto theft.
Having a spouse can save you money - Being married actually saves money on auto insurance. It means you're more responsible and it's statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Teen drivers pay high rates - Teenage drivers in Illinois tend to be more careless when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
Don't skimp on liability - The liability section of your policy provides coverage if ever a jury decides you are liable 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 compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
Sex matters - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don't assume that men are worse drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get more serious tickets like reckless driving and DUI.

Comprehensive Toledo Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

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

The fastest way to find the lowest comparison rates is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This type of form eliminates the need for separate quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Completing one form will return price quotes from many national carriers. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
A less efficient way to compare rate quotes consists of visiting the website for each individual company and request a quote. For instance, we'll assume you want to compare rates from , and . To get each rate you have to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Toledo, click here.
The most time-consuming method of comparing rate quotes is driving around to and from local Toledo insurance agencies. Buying insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to find lower rates online and still use a local agent and we'll touch on that later.

Whichever method you choose, compare identical deductibles and coverage limits with every price quote. If you use different values for each quote it will be impossible to find the best deal in Toledo. Slightly different coverages may result in a large different in cost. Just keep in mind that getting more free quotes helps locate better pricing.

Take advantage of discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically at the time you complete a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about prior to getting the savings.

Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Drive Less and Save - Keeping the miles down can qualify you for a substantially lower rate.
Pay Upfront and Save - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Homeowners Discount - Owning a house in Toledo can save you money because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.
Sign Online - A few companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
Organization Discounts - Affiliation with a qualifying organization may earn a discount on auto insurance.
More Vehicles More Savings - Insuring multiple cars or trucks with the same company could earn a price break for each car.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down your overall premium however.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Illinois, click here.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all seem to have a common claim about savings if you move to their company. How does each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and has great credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't qualify for these standards will have to pay a more expensive rate and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's the way companies can truthfully advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Additional information is available on the Illinois Department of Insurance website through this link. Illinois drivers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find disaster information, and view a list of available companies.

Final considerations

When you buy insurance online, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate.

The cheapest auto insurance is possible on the web and also from your neighborhood Toledo agents, so you should compare 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.

Drivers who switch companies do it for many reasons like delays in paying claims, delays in responding to claim requests, unfair underwriting practices or even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right auto insurance provider is easier than you think.