Consumer Tested Strategies to Save on Baytown Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your checking account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparing price quotes is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to cut your insurance bill.

Popular companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all promote huge savings with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using these methods. Buying car insurance in Baytown is quite easy. Nevertheless, Texas vehicle owners do need to know how big insurance companies market insurance on the web.

Tips to Get Lower Baytown Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in better auto insurance rates.

  • Higher deductibles cost less - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, covers damage that occurs to your car. A few examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, damage from fire, and rolling your vehicle. The more expense you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
  • Please use or commuting - The higher the mileage driven in a year's time the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies price each vehicle's coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Verify your auto insurance declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle.
  • Safer occupants lowers premiums - Safer cars can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and better occupant protection translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Small claims can cost you - Auto insurance companies in Texas award cheaper rates to policyholders who do not file claims often. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Your stress level may be raising your rates - Occupations such as real estate brokers, business owners and dentists have the highest average rates due to job stress and long work hours. Other professions such as pilots, historians and retirees get better rates.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from local Baytown auto insurance companies. One of the best ways to find the lowest rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This is very easy and can be done in several different ways.

  1. The fastest way to find low rates is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating separate quotation requests for each company. A single, simple form will get you price quotes from auto insurance companies with the best prices.
  2. A harder way to compare rate quotes requires a visit to each individual company website to complete a price quote. For instance, we'll pretend you want comparison quotes from , and . You would have to go to every website to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker.

    To view a list of companies in Baytown, click here.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but make sure you use exactly the same coverage limits with each company. If your comparisons have differing limits you can't possibly make an equal comparison in Baytown. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits may result in large price differences. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that comparing more company's prices will increase your chances of finding better pricing.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't list all available discounts in a way that's easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the best known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Multiple Cars - Insuring all your vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Life Insurance - Larger companies have better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Low mileage vehicles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver's education if offered at their school.
  • Claim Free - Drivers who don't have accidents pay less when compared with accident-prone drivers.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
  • Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% depending on your company.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don't profit that way.

To choose insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Baytown, click here to view.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive consistently run ads on TV and radio. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings if you change your coverage to them. How can each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a profitable customer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the requirements must pay more money and ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. This is how insurance companies can confidently claim big savings. This illustrates why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

How to know if you need help

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions can help discover whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
  • Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?

If you're not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find disaster information, and download brochures.

Texas auto insurance quotes

Affordable insurance is out there

Cost effective auto insurance is attainable on the web as well as from independent agents in Baytown, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies don't offer online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice full coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.