How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Viola

I can't think of anyone who enjoys paying for auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are too high.

Having so many auto insurance companies to choose from, it's difficult to locate the lowest cost provider.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates periodically because insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price six months ago a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the fastest and easiest way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every available discount very well, so we researched both well-publicized and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
Defensive Driving Course - Taking part in a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more if you qualify.
Low Mileage - Keeping the miles down could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.

Keep in mind that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it just doesn't work that way.

Viola Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get big savings.

Credit scores impact auto insurance rates - Your credit rating is a huge factor in determining your rates. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower ratings. If your credit history can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating.
High numbers of claims are not good - Insurance companies in Illinois provide discounts to drivers who are claim-free. If you file claims often, you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Insurance coverage is designed for larger claims.
Do you need those extra coverages? - There are a lot of additional coverages you can purchase on your auto insurance policy. Things like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and term life insurance are examples of these. These coverages may sound good when talking to your agent, but if they're wasting money remove them from your policy.
Men fork out a little more - Statistics show women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, don't assume that men are worse drivers. They both have accidents in similar numbers, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions may help highlight whether or not you may require specific advice.

Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Should I buy additional glass protection?

If you don't know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Is there truth in advertising?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the ads say the same thing that you can save if you move to their company. But how can every company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk could possibly be over the age of 50, a clean driving record, and has a high credit rating. A driver who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be charged higher prices which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can state the savings. That is why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Additional Illinois consumer information

Additional detailed information is located at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois consumers can find out industry alerts, download brochures, discover disciplinary actions, and learn about insurance regulations.

Also read more on NAIC.org's Understanding your Policy and this directory of Viola insurance agents.

Do the work, save more money

As you restructure your insurance plan, don't be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, someone dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

In this article, we presented a lot of information how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from a smaller regional carrier. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost compared to the large companies like .