Confused by the number of auto insurance options in Copperas Cove? Lot’s of other consumers are too. People have so many options that it can easily become a ton of work to find the perfect company for you.
You need to compare rates occasionally since rates go up and down regularly. Just because you found the best deal on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. Starting right now, block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because it’s time to teach you how to quote online to find better rates and still maintain coverage.
Finding affordable coverage in Copperas Cove is not rocket science. Just about every driver who is shopping for auto insurance will more than likely be able to find lower rates. Nevertheless, Texas car owners should learn the way companies price online insurance.
Do you qualify for discounts?
Companies that sell car insurance don’t list all available discounts very clearly, so we researched some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
- Senior Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
- Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of up to 25% or more.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
- More Vehicles More Savings – Insuring multiple cars or trucks with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Life Insurance – Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance from them.
- Driver Safety – Taking part in a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
- Memberships – Affiliation with a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.
Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don’t profit that way.
To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Copperas Cove, click here.
Educated Consumers Know How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper
It’s important that you understand some of the elements that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that could result in big savings.
- Performance influences rates – The performance level of the car you own makes a huge difference in your rates. Economy passenger models generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
- Your location is important – Being located in a small town can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident. Drivers who live in large Texas cities regularly have much more traffic to deal with and a longer drive to work. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
- Pay less if you’re married – Getting married can get you a discount on your policy. Marriage translates into being more responsible it has been statistically shown that drivers who are married are more cautious.
- Traffic citations inflate rates – Drivers who don’t get tickets receive lower rates than bad drivers. Only having one ticket can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with serious tickets like DUI or reckless driving are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to continue driving.
- Add-on coverages can add up – There are a ton of add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying on your policy. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, accidental death and term life insurance may be wasting your money. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
- Older drivers save more – Teenage drivers in Texas tend to be less responsible behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Having to add a teenage driver to your policy can be quite pricey. Older drivers tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
- Consolidate policies to earn discounts – The majority of companies will award you with lower prices to policyholders who have multiple policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, it’s in your best interest to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Consumers may find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage
When buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
For example, these questions might point out if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
- When would I need rental car insurance?
- If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
- Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
- Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form.
Additional auto insurance links
More detailed Texas auto insurance information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can find out industry alerts, view agent and company licensing information, and discover disciplinary actions.
Smart shoppers get results
We just presented a lot of tips how to get a better price on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from a smaller regional carrier.
Low-cost auto insurance is definitely available from both online companies in addition to many Copperas Cove insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who do not provide online quoting and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
When you buy insurance online, don’t be tempted to reduce needed coverages to save money. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.