Easy Methods to Pay Less on Broadway Auto Insurance

If online auto insurance comparisons are new to you, it's easy to get confused by the hoards of auto insurance companies all offering big savings in Broadway.

If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. This article will introduce you to the most effective way to quote insurance and some tips to save money. But Virginia drivers do need to know the way insurance companies market on the web.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't always advertise all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of both well-publicized as well as the least known auto insurance savings.

More Vehicles More Savings - Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Auto/Home Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents pay less when compared with drivers who are more careless.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.
Defensive Driving Course - Completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more if you qualify.
Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of more than 20%.
Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
Homeowners Savings - Owning a home in Broadway may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because of the fact that having a home demonstrates responsibility.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

The list below includes some of the items companies use to determine premiums.

Lower deductibles cost more - Your deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket before a claim is paid by your company. Insurance for physical damage to your car, also known as collision and other-than-collision, insures against damage to your car. Examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, vandalism, and burglary. The more expense you're willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Multiple policies with one company can save - The majority of companies will award you with lower prices to customers who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Occupations such as real estate brokers, architects and accountants tend to pay higher rates than average because of stressful work requirements and lengthy work days. On the flip side, occupations like scientists, athletes and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
Don't sacrifice liability coverage - The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you if a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. It provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there is no one size fits all plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For example, these questions might point out if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.

Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the companies say the same thing that you'll save big if you move to them. How do they all make almost identical claims?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a profitable customer could possibly be a mature driver, owns a home, and drives newer vehicles. A driver who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who don't meet the "perfect" profile must pay more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That is how companies can claim big savings. This illustrates why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

For more Virginia car insurance information

More detailed Virginia auto insurance information can be read at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Virginia consumers can report car insurance fraud, read consumer alerts, and read industry bulletins.

Shop smart and save

Budget-conscious auto insurance is definitely available online and with local Broadway insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut collision coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

Consumers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as lack of trust in their agent, policy non-renewal, high rates after DUI convictions and even questionable increases in premium. It doesn't matter what your reason, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.