Car Insurance in West Lafayette, IN - 5 Tricks to Save Money
Finding low-cost West Lafayette car insurance online may be rather challenging for consumers not familiar with comparing rates online. When there are so many online companies available, how can consumers possibly compare every company to locate the lowest rates?
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. This information will help you learn the best way to quote coverages and some tricks to saving. But Indiana car owners do need to know the methods companies use to price insurance differently because it can help you find the best coverage.
Save big with these 5 discounts
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. Most are applied at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.
- Payment Method - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
- Distant Student - Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
- New Car Discount - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with a few car insurance companies.
- Anti-lock Brakes - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Drivers should understand that some credits don't apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will reduce your overall premium however.
To choose insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts in West Lafayette, click here.
Car insurance ads bend the truth
Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all have a common claim that you'll save big after switching to their company. How can each company make the same claim?
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer could be over the age of 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has excellent credit. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.
Potential customers who fall outside the requirements will be quoted a more expensive rate and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads say "customers that switch" not "people who quote" save that much. This is how companies can make those claims.
This emphasizes why you should quote coverage with many companies. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.
But I don't know anything about car insurance
When buying the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a "perfect" insurance plan. Everyone's situation is a little different.
These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation could use an agent's help.
- What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
- Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
- Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Indiana?
- Am I covered by my employer's commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
- When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
- Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
If you can't answer these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, take a second and complete this form.
More sites with car insurance information
Much more information about car insurance in Indiana is located on the Indiana Department of Insurance website located here. Consumers can view a list of available companies, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest
Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, not issuing a premium refund, delays in paying claims or even extreme rates for teen drivers. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.
While you're price shopping online, it's a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced collision coverage and learned later they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.
Budget-conscious car insurance can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood West Lafayette agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some companies may not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.