Car Insurance in Baldwin - 9 Discounts You Might be Unaware of
Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, you're not the only one.
Big-name insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive continually hit you with ads and it is difficult to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.
It's important to do rate comparisons at least once a year since rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price a couple years back there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because you're about to find out the only way to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Baldwin is easy if you know what you're doing. But New York consumers do need to know how insurance companies price online insurance and apply this information to your search.
Comprehensive Baldwin Car Insurance Comparison Quotes
Comparing car insurance rates can take time and effort if you don't understand the best way to get rate quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to local insurance agents in Baldwin, or you could use online quotes to get rates in a matter of minutes.
Most of the larger companies take part in a program that allows shoppers to submit one quote, and at least one company then gives them pricing determined by their information. This saves time by eliminating quote forms to each individual car insurance company. To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.
One minor caviat to using this type of system is you don't know exactly which providers to receive prices from. So if you want to select from a list of companies to receive pricing from, we have a page of companies who write car insurance in New York. Click here for list of insurance companies in New York.
It's up to you which method you use, but compare exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote. If your comparisons have different liability limits then you won't be able to make a fair comparison in Baldwin. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. Just keep in mind that more quotes will increase your chances of finding the best rates.
Be sure to get all your discounts
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts that many people don't even know exist. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but less common discounts must be asked about before they will apply.
- Senior Citizens - If you're over the age of 55, you may qualify for reduced rates.
- Defensive Driver - Successfully completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
- Theft Prevention Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Payment Discounts - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
- Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may save at least 10% off all policies.
- Drive Less and Save - Driving fewer miles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Homeowners Discount - Owning a house in Baldwin can help you save on car insurance because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
- Passive Restraints - Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
- Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in school.
Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.
To choose companies offering car insurance discounts in Baldwin, click here to view.
Is there truth in advertising?
Car insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise that you'll save big if you switch to them. How can each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.
Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, has no tickets, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.
Consumers who don't measure up to the requirements will have to pay higher rates and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's the way companies can advertise the way they do.
Because of the profiling, you need to get quotes from several different companies. It's just too difficult to predict which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Much more information about car insurance in New York can be found on the website for the New York Department of Financial Services found here. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, discover disciplinary actions, read consumer alerts, and view a list of available companies.
Do the work, save more money
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at the best price.
Discount car insurance can be found both online and with local Baldwin insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some car insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.
