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

No one in their right mind looks forward to paying for auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high.

Big companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive constantly blast consumers with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to save some money using this strategy. Finding the best rates in Waipahu is not that difficult. Although Hawaii consumers do need to know how companies sell insurance online and take advantage of how the system works.

These discounts can lower your rates

Companies offering auto insurance don't always publicize every discount in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list both the well known as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Braking Control Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
  • Payment Discounts - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
  • Paperwork-free - Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy digitally online.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Driving fewer miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class in school.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won't be that lucky.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Everyone's situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions might point out whether you would benefit from an agent's advice.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
  • Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. They all make the same claim about savings if you switch your coverage to them. How can each company claim to save you money?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of customer that earns them a profit. An example of a driver they prefer might be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who are not a match for the requirements will be quoted a higher premium which leads to the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. This emphasizes why you should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.

Even more information is available at the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website. Visitors are able to download brochures, find out industry alerts, view a list of available companies, and find disaster information.

Waipahu auto insurance quote

Do the work, save more money

When you buy insurance online, it's not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are too many instances where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

We covered some good ideas how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than the large multi-state companies such as .