How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Benkelman

No one in their right mind enjoys paying for auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are through the roof. With so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be hard to pick the most cost effective provider.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Benkelman is not that difficult. If you have a policy now or are shopping for new coverage, you can follow these tips to find better prices while maximizing coverage. Nebraska consumers only need to know the most effective way to find the lowest price on the web.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always publicize every discount very well, so we break down some of the best known and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance. If you don't get every credit you qualify for, you're paying more than you need to.

Service Members Pay Less - Having a family member in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
Theft Prevention System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Homeowners Savings - Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
Pay Now and Pay Less - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
Distant Student - Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don't have a car may be able to be covered for less.
New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky.

To see a list of insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Nebraska, click this link.

Finding Auto Insurance Deals in Benkelman, NE

Performing a rate comparison can take time and effort if you aren't aware of the fastest way to get free quotes. You can waste a lot of time talking to insurance agencies in Benkelman, or you could use the internet for quick rates.

Many insurance companies enroll in a system that enables customers to enter their coverage request one time, and at least one company provides a quote for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do form submissions to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click to open in new window.

The only drawback to using this type of system is you are unable to specify which carriers to get quotes from. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies to compare, we put together a list of companies who write auto insurance in Nebraska. Click here to view list.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples quote information on every quote. If you use mixed coverages you can't possibly make a fair comparison in Benkelman.

Benkelman Rates are Influenced by These Factors

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to big savings.

Car features impact rates - Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
How many coverages with the same company - Some auto insurance companies provide better rates to people who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to compare rates to ensure the best deal.
Lower deductibles cost more - Physical damage deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, and rolling your vehicle. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.
Credit scores impact auto insurance rates - Having a bad credit score is a big factor in determining your rates. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit is low, you could pay less to insure your by improving your rating.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?

If it's difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Nebraska drivers can't get away from ads for cheaper car insurance by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim about savings if you change to their company.

But how can every company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as a mature driver, owns a home, and has excellent credit. A propective insured who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and therefore will save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be quoted higher rates which leads to business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims. This emphasizes why drivers must get as many quotes as possible. It's not possible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

And the best car insurance company is...

While you're price shopping online, don't be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

The cheapest auto insurance can be sourced on the web and also from your neighborhood Benkelman agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

For more Nebraska car insurance information

Even more information can be found at the Nebraska Department of Insurance website. Nebraska drivers can view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, and find out industry alerts.

Additional helpful sites include this page for auto insurance prices in Nebraska and this page of Benkelman insurance agents.