Easy Methods to Pay Less on West Point Auto Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the number of auto insurance options in West Point? Many other drivers are as well. People have so many options that it can turn into a big hassle to locate the lowest price.

It's important to shop coverage around at least once a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best deal a year ago a different company probably has better rates today. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the proper way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but some must be specifically requested before you get the savings. If you aren't receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Auto/Life Discount - Some companies give better rates if you take out a life insurance policy as well.
  • Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Lower Rates for Military - Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Claim Free - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Safety Course Discount - Completing a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.

It's important to note that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most cut individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, you're out of luck. But any discount will reduce the amount you have to pay.

Iowa auto insurance quotes

Tips to Get Lower West Point Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

  • Pleasure use saves money - The higher the mileage driven in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies apply a rate based on their usage. Autos left parked in the garage can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.
  • High crash test scores lower rates - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. These vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Jobs such as doctors, executives and dentists have the highest average rates because of high stress and lengthy work days. Other occupations like actors, historians and retirees get better rates.
  • Extra coverages can waste money - There are quite a few extra coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • High credit ratings translate to low rates - Credit score is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. People with excellent credit tend to be more responsible than drivers who have poor credit. If your credit history is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score.
  • Men are more aggressive - Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. Now that doesn't mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Women and men have accidents at about the same rate, but the males tend to have more serious accidents. They also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
  • Adjust deductibles and save - Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims could be a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. The more money you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Iowa consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from the likes of GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all seem to make the same claim that you can save if you change your coverage to them.

How can each company make almost identical claims?

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that earns them a profit. An example of a desirable insured could possibly be a mature driver, has no tickets, and has excellent credit. A driver who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will have to pay a higher premium which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's the way insurance companies can make those claims.

Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

More information is available on the Iowa Insurance Division website located here. Iowa consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find disaster information, and read industry bulletins.

auto insurance in West Point

Best coverage at the best price

While you're price shopping online, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out they didn't purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford.

Lower-priced auto insurance is attainable online as well as from independent agents in West Point, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

Insureds leave their current company for a number of reasons such as delays in paying claims, delays in responding to claim requests, high rates after DUI convictions and even questionable increases in premium. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.