Woodland Hills Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Saving money on Woodland Hills auto insurance is nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. People have so many options that it can easily become more work than you anticipated to compare prices in Woodland Hills.

The purpose of this article is to instruct you on how to effectively get price quotes and some tricks to saving. If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. But California drivers do need to know the way companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Careers like lawyers, business owners and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates due to stressful work requirements and long work hours. Conversely, professions such as farmers, engineers and retirees receive lower rates.
  • Optional equipment can affect rates - Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder car theft.
  • Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are quite a few extra bells and whistles that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, accident forgiveness and term life insurance may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
  • Please use or commuting - The higher the mileage driven every year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Verify your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle.
  • Low deductibles can be expensive - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, insures against damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply could be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, and burglary. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
  • Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? - Some insurers provide better rates to customers who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
  • High crash test scores lower rates - Safer cars can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.

Save big with these discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there could be available discounts to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be applied when you purchase, but a few need to be requested specifically before being credited.

  • No Accidents - Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if offered at their school.
  • Safety Course Discount - Taking a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
  • Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you will save 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
  • Good Students Pay Less - This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
  • Discount for New Cars - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
  • Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your overall premium however.

To choose insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in California, click here to view.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all make an identical promise that you'll save big if you change to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has a high credit rating. A driver who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Consumers who fall outside these standards will be quoted higher prices and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's why companies can state the savings.

This emphasizes why you should compare as many rates as you can. It is impossible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

Much more information about auto insurance in California can be found on the California Department of Insurance website found here. California consumers can read industry bulletins, view a list of available companies, and discover disciplinary actions.

Other informative sites include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in California and this list of insurance agents in Woodland Hills.

compare Woodland Hills auto insurance rates

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

People leave their current company for a variety of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, extreme rates for teen drivers, delays in responding to claim requests or even delays in paying claims. Whatever your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is easier than you think.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable online and also from your neighborhood Woodland Hills agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.