Tightwads Tips for Saving on Belle Plaine Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, you are not the only one feeling buyer's remorse.

Consumers have many to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to have multiple companies, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates at least once a year because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best deal last year a different company probably has better rates today. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the only way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Buying car insurance in Belle Plaine is not that difficult. Basically, every driver who carries auto insurance will be able to save money. Although Minnesota consumers do need to know how insurance companies market on the web and take advantage of how the system works.

Take advantage of discounts

Auto insurance companies don't always advertise every available discount very clearly, so here is a list both the well known as well as the least known auto insurance savings.

Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
Service Members Pay Less - Having a deployed family member can result in better rates.
No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts compared to drivers who are more careless.
E-sign - Certain companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
No Charge for an Accident - Certain companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on your policy.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply the the whole policy. Most cut individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, you won't be that lucky.

You have some control over your rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

Cautious drivers pay less - Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Just one moving violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Drivers who get severe violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to file a SR-22 to the state department of motor vehicles in order to drive a vehicle legally.
High crash test scores lower rates - Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. Safer cars reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Occupations like doctors, architects and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates because of high stress levels and lengthy work days. Conversely, professions such as actors, engineers and the unemployed receive lower rates.
Marriage brings a discount - Being married actually saves money when buying auto insurance. Marriage means you're more responsible and it's proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Proper usage rating affects rates - The more you drive in a year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles left parked in the garage can get a lower rate than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because it can save money.
An active claims history can cost you - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in Minnesota provide lower rates to insureds who are claim-free. Auto insurance is intended for the large, substantial claims.
Older drivers pay less - Youthful drivers in Minnesota tend to be less responsible when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads on TV and radio. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you move to their company. How does each company claim to save you money?

All companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a preferred risk might be over the age of 50, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Consumers who don't qualify for these standards will be charged higher rates which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "customers that switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's the way companies can truthfully claim big savings. That is why drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Even more information is available at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, find disaster information, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

We covered a lot of information how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Drivers may discover the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than their larger competitors like .

The cheapest auto insurance is definitely available both online and also from your neighborhood Belle Plaine agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.