Proven Techniques to Save on Anderson Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say you're not alone. Insurance companies such as GEICO and Progressive all promote huge savings with ad campaigns and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Auto insurance companies don't always list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we break down some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren't receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Payment Method - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Buying insurance for multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Senior Discount - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
  • Seat Belt Usage - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • No Charge for an Accident - A handful of insurance companies allow you one accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think it's possible to get free car insurance, you won't be that lucky.

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Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart auto theft.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - The deductibles define the amount you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your auto insurance will be.
  • Men pay higher rates - Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Women and men have accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get more serious tickets like reckless driving and DUI. Youthful male drivers are the most expensive to insure and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
  • Never go without insurance - Letting your insurance expire will be a fast way to bump up your auto insurance costs. Not only will rates go up, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time.
  • Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like lawyers, social workers and dentists tend to have the highest average rates due to high stress levels and lengthy work days. Other occupations like actors, historians and performers receive lower rates.
  • More than one policy can earn a discount - Many insurance companies provide better rates to people who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to 10 percent or more. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. You may still find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Missouri drivers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all have a common claim about savings after switching to their company.

How can each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted more money and this can result in business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's the way companies can truthfully advertise the savings. This emphasizes why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Even more information can be found at the Missouri Department of Insurance website. Missouri drivers can view a list of available companies, report car insurance fraud, learn about insurance regulations, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Best coverage at the best price

Cheaper auto insurance can be bought on the web and also from your neighborhood Anderson agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.