Car Insurance in West Hills - 10 Ways to Save Money

I can't think of a single person who cherishes buying car insurance, especially when they are paying too much. Drivers have multiple to buy insurance from, and though it is a good thing to have a choice, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates occasionally since rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best deal a couple years back there may be better deals available now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we're going to show you the only way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every available discount very clearly, so here is a list some of the more common and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

Early Switch Discount - A few companies offer discounts for switching to them before your current policy expires. It's a savings of about 10%.
Anti-lock Brake System - Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies permit an accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
Resident Student - Kids in college who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
Federal Employees - Simply working for the federal government can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.
Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Driver Safety - Taking a driver safety course can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
55 and Retired - Older drivers may be able to get better car insurance rates.
Multi-policy Discount - When you have multiple policies with the same company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Just because you may think you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won't be that lucky.

For a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in California, click here to view.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in West Hills, CA

Finding a better price on car insurance can be quick and easy. Just take time to compare quotes from different insurance companies. This can be done in several different ways.

One of the best ways to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form keeps you from doing a different quote for each company. A single form gets rate comparisons .

A different way to compare rate quotes is spending the time to visit each company website and fill out their own quote form. For example, let's assume you want to compare , and . You would have to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method.

To view a list of companies in West Hills, click here.

The least recommended method to get comparison rates to different West Hills agent offices. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the trained guidance of a licensed agent. However, consumers can compare online quotes and still use a local agent and we'll cover that in a bit.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but make absolute certain that you use identical information for each comparison quote. If you compare higher or lower deductibles it will be next to impossible to determine the lowest rate in West Hills.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a "perfect" insurance plan. Each situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation could use an agent's help.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
What are the financial responsibility laws in California?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in California?
What are California no-fault laws?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?

If you're not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It's fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Best coverage at the best price

You just learned many tips how you can get a better price on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers could even find that the lowest premiums are with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. These companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than their larger competitors like .

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheaper car insurance can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood West Hills agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some car insurance companies may not provide online quoting and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.