How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Wood Dale

Expensive auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your personal savings and force you to make sacrifices. Shopping your coverage around is a great way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket. You have so many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to shop coverage around yearly because prices are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate one of the easiest ways to find great coverage at a great price.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies don't always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so we researched both the well known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

College Student - Youth drivers who are attending college without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
Save with a New Car - Insuring a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
Pay Upfront and Save - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
Sign Online - Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
Defensive Driving Course - Completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.

It's important to note that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you're out of luck.

Tips to Get Lower Wood Dale Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate rates.

Older drivers pay less - Youthful drivers in Illinois tend to be more careless when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Adding a teen driver onto a 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.
More miles equals more premium - The more you drive in a year's time the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Cars left parked in the garage receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Optional equipment can affect rates - Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all aid in stopping auto theft.
Being married is a good thing - Having a wife or husband actually saves money on auto insurance. It translates into being more mature and it's statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Add-on coverages can add up - There are a lot of add-on coverages that you can buy when buying auto insurance. Coverages for personal injury protection, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. These coverages may sound good at first, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you might need an agent's assistance.

Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Should I buy additional glass protection?

If you can't answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Consumers in Illinois get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save if you move your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money?

All companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Consumers who do not match these standards will have to pay higher prices and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Learn more about auto insurance in Illinois

Additional detailed information is located at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, view a list of available companies, and get help finding coverage.

A tidy conclusion

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate.

Lower-priced auto insurance is possible both online as well as from independent agents in Wood Dale, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.