Best Way to Find the Cheapest Towson Auto Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the number of auto insurance options in Towson? Many other drivers are as well. Consumers have so many companies to choose from that it can turn into a lot of work to compare prices.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or need a new policy, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. The purpose of this post is to tell you how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. Maryland vehicle owners just need to know the proper way to compare rates over the internet.

Tips to Get Lower Towson Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The following are some of the factors used by your company to calculate prices.

  • Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like doctors, social workers and dentists have the highest average rates because of stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Other occupations like actors, historians and performers get better rates.
  • Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are a ton of extra coverages that can waste your money if you aren't careful. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and additional equipment coverage are some examples. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • Having a spouse can save you money - Being married can get you a discount on auto insurance. Having a significant other translates into being more mature than a single person and it's proven that being married results in fewer claims.
  • More claims means more premium - Companies in Maryland generally give cheaper rates to people who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
  • High credit ratings translate to low rates - Having a bad credit history is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. If your credit is not that good, you could save money insuring your by improving your credit score. People with high credit scores tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
  • Adjust deductibles and save - The deductibles define the amount you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. The more money you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
  • Women pay lower rates - Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. They both have accidents at about the same rate, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get more serious tickets like reckless driving and DUI. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.

Quick Towson Auto Insurance Quotes

Reducing your insurance rates is surprisingly easy. Consumers just need to invest a few minutes comparing rate quotes online from several insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.

  1. The fastest way to find low rates is a comparison rater form click here to open form in new window. This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quote forms to each individual auto insurance company. Completing one form gets you price quotes from many national carriers. It's the fastest way to compare.
  2. A harder way to shop for auto insurance online requires visiting the website of each company to complete their respective quote request forms. For instance, we'll assume you want to compare rates from , and . To find out each rate you need to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.

    For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Towson, click here.
  3. The most time-consuming method to get comparison rates is driving around to and from local Towson insurance agencies. Shopping for auto insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you require the personal advice only provided by licensed Towson agents. It is possible to find lower rates online but buy from a local insurance agent and we'll touch on that later.

Whichever method you choose, compare exactly the same quote information on every quote you get. If you are comparing mixed coverages it's not possible to determine which rate is truly the best in Towson.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies don't necessarily list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren't receiving every discount possible, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Claim Free - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for a substantially lower rate.
  • Homeowners Discount - Simply owning a home can save you money due to the fact that maintaining a home requires personal responsibility.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
  • Driver Safety - Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
  • Theft Prevention System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Buying insurance for multiple vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Federal Government Employee - Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that some credits don't apply the the whole policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Towson, click here.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Maryland drivers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all have a common claim that you'll save big after switching your coverage to them.

How can each company say the same thing?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and has great credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted a higher premium and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's the way companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why you need to compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

More detailed Maryland auto insurance information is available at the Maryland Insurance Administration website. Maryland drivers can read industry bulletins, discover disciplinary actions, and get help finding coverage.

auto insurance in Towson

Best coverage at the best price

Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as high rates after DUI convictions, delays in responding to claim requests, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even extreme rates for teen drivers. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be sourced on the web as well as from independent agents in Towson, so you should compare both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who don't offer online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, it's not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.