Tightwads Tips for Saving on Amherst Auto Insurance

No one in their right mind cherishes buying auto insurance, particularly when the cost is way too high.

You have multiple to buy insurance from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Amherst

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine premiums.

Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are a lot of additional coverages that you can get tricked into buying when buying auto insurance. Coverages for personal injury protection, accidental death and motor club memberships may be costing you every month. These may sound like a good investment initially, but if you don't need them eliminate them to save money.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - The majority of insurers will award you with lower prices to insureds who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Occupations such as lawyers, business owners and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates due to high stress levels and lengthy work days. Conversely, jobs such as scientists, engineers and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
Pay less if you're married - Having a spouse actually saves money on your policy. Having a spouse is viewed as being more responsible and statistics show married couples file fewer claims.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but you may find discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some trigger automatically when you purchase, but a few need to be manually applied before being credited.

Defensive Driving Course - Completing a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
Auto/Home Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially when compared with accident-prone drivers.
Paperless Signup - Certain companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven't had any claims prior to the accident.
Anti-theft Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down your premiums.

To choose insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in New Hampshire, click here to view.

The auto insurance bait and switch

21st Century, Allstate and State Farm regularly use ads in print and on television. All the companies make an identical promise about savings if you move to them. How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer might be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when switching.

Consumers who don't measure up to these standards must pay higher prices and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

This illustrates why you should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you would benefit from an agent's advice.

Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

For more New Hampshire car insurance information

Additional information can be found on the website for the New Hampshire Insurance Department found here. Visitors are able to discover disciplinary actions, read consumer alerts, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Cheaper auto insurance is definitely available both online and with local Amherst insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.