Proven Methods for Buying Buffalo New York Auto Insurance at a Discount

Shopping for the cheapest Buffalo auto insurance on the web may be challenging for consumers not familiar with price shopping online. With a ridiculous number of companies in the marketplace, how can anyone even start to compare every company to locate the cheapest available price?

If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using this information. Buying affordable coverage in Buffalo is quite easy. But New York vehicle owners need to have an understanding of how the larger insurance companies market on the web.

These discounts can slash auto insurance rates

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.

• Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on the same auto insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
• Claim Free – Claim-free drivers pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
• Club Memberships – Belonging to a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings when buying auto insurance.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
• Drive Less and Save – Keeping the miles down can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply up to age 25.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your premiums.

You have some control over your rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.

• Performance influences rates – The performance level of the car you are insuring makes a big difference in how high your rates are. The lowest base rates are for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
• Never let your coverage lapse – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a guaranteed way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will your rates increase, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.You may have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the New York motor vehicle department.
• High credit ratings translate to low rates – Credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. If your credit is lower than you’d like, you could be paying less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than drivers with poor credit.
• One company can mean more discounts – Many insurers give discounts to policyholders who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. You may still find better rates by buying auto insurance from a different company.
• Older drivers pay less – Older insureds are more responsible, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel. Youthful drivers have a tendency to be less responsible when behind the wheel and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
• Lower miles equals lower premium – Driving more miles every year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage.
• Optional equipment can affect rates – Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent your car from being stolen.
• Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as lawyers, social workers and dentists have the highest average rates due to job stress and long work days. Other occupations such as pilots, historians and performers get better rates.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different.

These are some specific questions might help in determining if you will benefit from professional help.

• Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
• Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
• Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
• Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
• Should I buy additional glass protection?
• Do I need motorclub coverage?
• Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.

For more reading

Additional auto insurance information can be read on the New York Department of Financial Services website. Click here for link. New York consumers can read industry bulletins, report car insurance fraud, read state legal mandates and laws, and get help finding coverage.

Final considerations

Drivers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as high prices, policy non-renewal, high rates after DUI convictions or even being labeled a high risk driver. No matter why you want to switch, switching auto insurance companies can be pretty painless.

The cheapest auto insurance is available both online as well as from independent agents in Buffalo, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. Some companies don’t offer online quoting and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are a lot of situations where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage to discover at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.