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

Expensive auto insurance can empty your bank account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Shopping your coverage around is a smart way to help make ends meet.

There is such a variety of to pick from, and even though it's nice to have a selection, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

It's important to get comparison quotes yearly because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best price on your last policy the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate the fastest and easiest way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some trigger automatically when you quote, but less common discounts must be inquired about prior to getting the savings.

Good Student Discount - A discount for being a good student can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply up to age 25.
Discount for New Cars - Insuring a new car can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
Government Employees - Being employed by or retired from a federal job can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.
Discount for Life Insurance - Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
Memberships - Participating in a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on your policy.

It's important to note that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you're out of luck. But any discount will bring down your premiums.

To see a list of providers with the best auto insurance discounts in West Virginia, follow this link.

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Chester, WV

There are multiple methods to compare auto insurance quotes, but some are easier and takes less work. You can waste a lot of time talking to insurance companies in Chester, or you could save time and use online quoting to get prices fast.

Many insurance companies participate in a marketplace that enables customers to enter their policy data once, and each company can provide price quotes based on that data. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click to open in new window.

One minor caviat to comparing rates this way is you cannot specify which carriers you will receive quotes from. If you wish to select individual companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of auto insurance companies in West Virginia. View list of West Virginia insurance companies.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just make sure you use identical coverages on every quote you get. If you have different limits and deductibles on each one it's not possible to determine which rate is truly the best in Chester. Just a small difference in limits could mean much higher rates. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that having more price comparisons helps you find lower pricing.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" that factor into your rates.

Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single moving violation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to drive a vehicle legally.
Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more you drive in a year's time the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on their usage. Vehicles that are left in the garage qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Verify your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
Small claims can cost you - Insurance companies in West Virginia provide lower rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect higher rates. Car insurance is designed for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
Liability insurance protects assets - The liability section of your policy is the protection in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Special features that cut premiums - Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover whether or not you would benefit from an agent's advice.

Should I buy only the required West Virginia minimum liability coverage?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Do I qualify for additional discounts?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Companies like State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads in print and on television. All the ads say the same thing that you can save if you move your policy. How does each company make almost identical claims?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between 25 and 40, has no prior claims, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will get very good rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who don't measure up to these standards will be charged a higher premium which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.

That is why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Affordable insurance is out there

You just read a lot of tips how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Drivers may discover the most savings is with the least-expected company. These smaller insurers often have lower prices on specific markets as compared to the big name companies such as .

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

More information can be found on the website for the West Virginia Insurance Commission located here. West Virginia consumers can file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Additional helpful sites include III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in Chester West Virginia.