Tightwads Tips for Saving on Van Alstyne Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can empty your savings account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparison shopping is a great way to lower your monthly bill. Drivers have so many to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare prices yearly since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best price last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate how to quote online to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

Finding affordable coverage in Van Alstyne is not that difficult. If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. Texas consumers only need to know the most effective way to compare prices 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 auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Traffic citations inflate rates - Even a single moving violation can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who don't get tickets get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations like DUI or reckless driving may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to prevent a license revocation.
Where do you drive? - The higher the mileage driven in a year's time the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars 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 shows the correct usage for each vehicle.
Do you need those extra coverages? - There are quite a few add-on coverages you can purchase if you aren't careful. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. These may sound like a good investment initially, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
Having a spouse can save you money - Having a spouse helps lower the price on auto insurance. Marriage translates into being more responsible and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Special features that cut premiums - Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all aid in stopping auto theft.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

Performing a rate comparison can be a lot of work if you don't understand the best way to get rate quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to insurance agencies in Van Alstyne, or you could use the web to achieve your goal.

Most of the larger companies belong to a marketplace that allows shoppers to enter their policy data once, and each company can provide price quotes based on that information. This prevents consumers from doing quote forms for each company you want a rate for.

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

One minor caviat to comparing rates this way is you are unable to specify which providers you will receive quotes from. If you wish to select from a list of companies to compare, we put together a list of companies who write auto insurance in Texas. Click here to view list.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you use identical coverage limits on every quote you get. If the quotes have differing limits then you won't be able to determine which rate is truly the best in Van Alstyne.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't always advertise every available discount very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

Good Student Discount - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Low Mileage - Low mileage vehicles can earn a substantially lower rate.
Own a Home - Being a homeowner can save you money because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
Multiple Cars - Buying insurance for all your vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

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

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Texas drivers can't ignore all the ads for car insurance savings from the likes of State Farm and Allstate. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you change your coverage to them.

How does each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk might be profiled as a mature driver, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don't meet these standards will be charged a higher premium and this can result in business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. That is why you need to get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions can help discover if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.

Should I buy only the required Texas minimum liability coverage?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?

If you can't answer these questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Even more information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, discover disciplinary actions, and get help finding coverage.

Best coverage at the best price

In this article, we covered a lot of ways to compare auto insurance prices online. It's most important to understand that the more you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the best price on auto insurance is with some of the smallest insurance companies. These smaller insurers may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like .

When trying to cut insurance costs, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

The cheapest auto insurance is attainable on the web as well as from independent agents in Van Alstyne, and you need to price shop 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.