Have you fallen victim to an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, there are many people just like you. Because there are so many different company options, it can be impossible to choose the cheapest insurer.
Pricing affordable protection in Arlington is not that difficult. If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can follow these tips to shop for the lowest rates and cut your auto insurance bill. Texas consumers just need to understand the tricks to compare rates on the web.
How insurance companies determine rates
Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that could result in lower auto insurance prices.
- Marriage brings a discount – Getting married helps lower the price on your policy. Having a spouse usually means you are more responsible and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
- Credit scores impact auto insurance rates – A driver’s credit score is a large factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Consumers who have high credit ratings tend to be less risk to insure than drivers who have lower credit ratings. If your credit is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating.
- High performance equals high price – The performance level of the car you are insuring makes a significant difference in determining your rates. The most favorable rates are generally reserved for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
- Increase deductibles and save – Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. 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. Some examples of claims that would be covered are colliding with a building, damage from fire, and rolling your vehicle. The more expense the insured has to pay upfront, the less your auto insurance will be.
- Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs – Auto insurance companies in Texas award discounts to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
- Rate your vehicle for proper use – The higher the mileage driven in a year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet properly reflects the correct usage for each vehicle.
- Where you live can impact rates – Choosing to live in a rural area is a positive aspect when buying auto insurance. Drivers who live in large cities tend to have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate.
How to Compare Arlington Auto Insurance Costs
All the larger auto insurance companies provide prices online. This process is pretty painless as you just enter your coverage preferences into the quote form. When complete, the company’s rating system pulls credit information and your driving record and generates a price determined by many factors. Quoting online streamlines rate comparisons, but the time required to go to many different websites and type in the same information gets old quite quickly. But it is imperative to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find the lowest auto insurance rates.
Rate comparisons made easy
An easier way to locate the lowest prices uses one form that obtains quotes from more than one company. It’s a real time-saver, eliminates form submissions, and makes online price comparison much easier. Immediately after submitting the form, your coverage is rated with multiple companies and you can pick any or none of the quotes returned.
If the quotes result in lower rates, you can click and sign and buy the policy. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes and could lower your rates considerably.
To use this form to compare rates, click here to open in new window and enter your vehicle and coverage information. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you replicate coverages and limits as shown on your current policy. This ensures an apples-to-apples comparison based on identical coverages.
Do you qualify for discounts?
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings. If you don’t get every credit possible, you are throwing money away.
- Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Arlington can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
- Paperless Signup – Certain companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy online.
- Military Discounts – Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
- No Claims – Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less when compared with drivers who are more careless.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
- Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with a professional or civic organization is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
- Federal Government Employee – Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
- Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than drivers with accidents.
As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky. Any amount of discount will help reduce the amount you have to pay.
Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
- Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
- Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
- Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
- Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Texas?
- When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
- Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
- Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and can help protect your family.
Compare but don’t skimp
When trying to cut insurance costs, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many instances, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.
We’ve covered many ways to compare auto insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from a small mutual company. These companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like GEICO and State Farm.
Cheap auto insurance can be purchased on the web in addition to most Arlington insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. Local independent agents can write coverage with small mutal insurance companies who do not offer you the ability to get quotes online.