Tightwads Guide to Saving on West Haven Car Insurance

Scraping up a payment for overpriced car insurance can dwindle your savings account, especially in this economy. Doing a price comparison is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to help make ends meet.

Having so many choices, it is hard for the average consumer to pick the right company.

This article will teach you how car insurance quotes work. If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to save some money using these methods. But Connecticut consumers do need to know the way companies sell insurance online and take advantage of how the system works.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in West Haven, CT

There are several ways to get quotes from local West Haven car insurance companies. The best method to find the lowest rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be done using a couple different methods.

The recommended way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating a different quote for every car insurance company. A single, simple form will return quotes .
A more time consuming way to get quotes online is to take the time to go to each individual company website to complete a price quote. For example, let's assume you want comparison quotes from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to visit each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular. To view a list of companies in West Haven, click here.
The least recommended way to compare rates is to waste gas driving to insurance agents' offices. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you require the personal advice of a local agent. However, consumers can get the lowest quotes online and still use a local agent and we'll cover that in a bit.

It's up to you which method you use, but make sure you use apples-to-apples coverages and limits with each company. If you have different deductibles it's not possible to make an equal comparison in West Haven. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages may cause a big price difference. And when comparing car insurance rates, know that obtaining a wide range of quotes provides better odds of finding a lower rate.

Save big with these discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about before you will receive the discount.

Multi-car Discount - Insuring more than one vehicle on the same car insurance policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Auto/Home Discount - When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
Anti-lock Brake System - Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a break if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
Paperless Signup - Certain companies may give you up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up online.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Driving fewer miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Defensive Driver - Completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill and easily recoup the cost of the course.
Senior Citizens - Mature drivers may qualify for better car insurance rates.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurers offering car insurance discounts in Connecticut, click here to view.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no "best" method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions can help discover if your situation might need an agent's assistance.

Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
What are the best liability limits?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Connecticut?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If you're not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Much more information about car insurance in Connecticut is available on the website for the Connecticut Insurance Department located here. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about a company, and find out industry alerts.

Additional helpful sites include this page for Connecticut car insurance and this page for help finding agents in West Haven, CT.