Consumer Tested Strategies to Save on Wareham Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your personal savings and put the squeeze on your family's finances. Comparing price quotes is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to slash your bill and have more diposable income. Multiple compete for your insurance dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare and get the best coverage at the lowest rate

If you have a policy now or need a new policy, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. Buying car insurance in Wareham is quite easy. Massachusetts drivers only need an understanding of the proper methods to get comparison quotes on the web.

Take advantage of discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. A few discounts will automatically apply at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically in order for you to get them. If they aren't giving you every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

  • Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • Life Insurance - Larger companies have lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Participating in certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Military Discounts - Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount depending on your company.
  • Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
  • Own a Home - Owning a home in Wareham can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house requires personal responsibility.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don't profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut your overall premium however.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that could result in big savings.

  • Higher deductibles cost less - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage coverage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be colliding with a building, damage from fire, and burglary. The more money the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive.
  • Drive less and save money - The higher the mileage driven in a year's time the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Ask your agent if your auto insurance declarations sheet is showing the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance - Your policy's liability coverage is the protection if a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.
  • Drive a safer car and pay less - Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and lower rates for you.
  • High numbers of claims are not good - Auto insurance companies in Massachusetts award better rates to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance coverage is designed for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no one size fits all plan. Every insured's situation is different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions can help discover whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
  • Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Massachusetts?

If you're not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and may give you better protection.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Massachusetts consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings if you change your policy.

How do they all make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be between 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and has a high credit rating. A driver who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile must pay more money and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

This illustrates why drivers should compare many company's rates. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.

Learn more about auto insurance in Massachusetts

Additional auto insurance information is available on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Click here for link. Massachusetts consumers can report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find out which companies have the most complaints, and find disaster information.

Massachusetts auto insurance quotes

In the end, you save

Cost effective auto insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Wareham insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.