New Strategies for Buying Plano Auto Insurance for Less Money

Finding the best price on Plano auto insurance might seem complicated at first if you are a beginner to quoting online. But don’t be discouraged because online price shopping is actually quite simple.

You should make it a habit to check auto insurance prices once or twice a year since insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the best rates six months ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate how to use online quotes to buy cheaper auto insurance.

Finding affordable coverage in Plano is quite easy. Basically, every vehicle owner who buys auto insurance should be able to save money. But Texas vehicle owners can benefit by having an understanding of the methods companies use to market on the web.

What determines how much you pay?

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that come into play when calculating your auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

• No coverage gaps is important – Driving without insurance is illegal and auto insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage lapse. Not only will you pay more, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance can result in a revoked license or a big fine.You may then be required to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Texas DMV.
• Rates may be higher depending on your occupation – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Jobs such as lawyers, architects and financial analysts have higher average rates attributed to stressful work requirements and long work days. Conversely, occupations such as scientists, engineers and homemakers get better rates.
• Careful drivers pay lower rates – A bad driving record has a big impact on rates. Even one citation can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who don’t get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations like DUI or reckless driving may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to keep their license.
• High numbers of claims are not good – Auto insurance companies in Texas generally give better rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you file claims often, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Car insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.

Finding Auto Insurance Deals in Plano, TX

Shopping for lower auto insurance rates can be exhausting if you don’t know the easiest way. You could spend the better part of a day discussing policy coverages with agents in Plano, or you can utilize the web for quick rates.

Most car insurance companies belong to a marketplace that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and at least one company can provide price quotes based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do quote requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To use this form to compare rates click here to open in new window.

The only downside to comparing rates this way is you can’t choose which carriers to get pricing from. So if you want to choose specific insurance companies to request quotes from, we have a page of auto insurance companies in Texas. View list of Texas insurance companies.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to compare apples-to-apples coverages with each company. If you are comparing differing limits then you won’t be able to find the best deal in Plano. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages can make a big difference in price. Keep in mind that getting more free quotes gives you a better chance of getting the best price.

Can you really save that much by switching?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive regularly use ads in print and on television. All the companies say the same thing that you’ll save big if you move your policy. How does each company claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that makes them money. A good example of a profitable customer could be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has excellent credit. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don’t meet these standards will be quoted more money which leads to business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much. This is how companies can make the claims of big savings. This emphasizes why you absolutely need to compare many company’s rates. It’s not possible to predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Companies offer discounts so take them!

Car insurance companies don’t always list all available discounts very clearly, so we researched some of the best known and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance.

• Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
• Accident Forgiveness – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims for a set time period.
• Distant Student – Youth drivers living away from home attending college without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts of up to 25% or more.
• Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
• Early Signing – Select companies give a discount for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
• Multiple Cars – Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.
• Save with a New Car – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, you’re out of luck.

Even more information can be read at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can find a variety of consumer forms, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read state legal mandates and laws, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest

When you buy insurance online, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to find out that they should have had better coverage. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price.

Cheaper auto insurance is possible from both online companies in addition to many Plano insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers do not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

We covered many ideas to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from the least-expected company.