Tightwads Guide to Saving on Witt Auto Insurance

Expensive auto insurance can overdraw your personal savings and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparison shopping is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

Having so many companies and agents to choose from, it is very difficult to locate the lowest cost company.

It's important to compare prices on a regular basis since insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best price a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the fastest and easiest way to find great coverage at a great price.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies do not list all their discounts very well, so we took the time to find some of the best known and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using.

College Student - Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
Own a Home - Owning a house in Witt can help you save on auto insurance because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
Air Bag Discount - Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
No Accidents - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially as compared to drivers who are more careless.
Service Members Pay Less - Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

Older drivers pay less - Teenage drivers in Illinois tend to be more careless when driving so auto insurance rates are higher. If you've ever had to add a youthful driver to your auto insurance policy can break the bank. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.
High deductibles save money - Physical damage coverage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and burglary. Deductibles for physical damage are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Car insurance companies in Illinois award discounts to insureds who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
Poor credit can mean higher rates - Credit rating is a large factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Jobs such as lawyers, business owners and stock brokers tend to have the highest rates attributed to high stress levels and lengthy work days. On the other hand, jobs such as pilots, students and the unemployed receive lower rates.
Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. These vehicles reduce injuries and better occupant protection translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads in print and on television. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings if you move to their company. But how can every company say the same thing?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Drivers who do not match this ideal profile will have to pay higher premiums and ends up with business not being written. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Even more information can be found at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, report car insurance fraud, download brochures, and find out industry alerts.

Also read more on this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Witt.

Shop smart and save

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, don't be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate.

Cheap auto insurance is definitely available on the web and also from your neighborhood Witt agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.