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

Nobody I know likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much. Consumers have many to pick from, and even though it's nice to have a choice, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates periodically since insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best rates last year you may be paying too much now. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance on the web, but I'm going to show you some great ways to slash your auto insurance rates.

Brownsville Auto Insurance Comparisons

Most major insurance companies like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm provide prices on their websites. Getting online quotes is quite easy as you just type in your personal and coverage information as detailed in the form. Behind the scenes, their system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and generates a price based on these and other factors. This simplifies rate comparisons, but the time required to go to a lot of sites and complete many quote forms is repetitive and time-consuming. But it's very important to have as many quotes as possible if you want to find better auto insurance pricing.

A less time-consuming method to compare rates requires only one form that gets price quotes from a bunch of companies at once. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes quoting online much simpler. Immediately after submitting the form, it gets priced and you can choose any one of the returned quotes. If a lower price is quoted, you can simply submit the application and purchase coverage. The whole process can be completed in a matter of minutes and you'll know if lower rates are available.

To quickly find out what other companies charge, click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you type in the insurance coverages identical to your current policy. This way, you will receive a fair comparison based on similar coverages.

Brownsville auto insurance comparison

You have some control over your rates

It's important that you understand the different types of things that go into determining auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • Older drivers save more - Teenage drivers in Texas are statistically proven to be more careless behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. If you've ever had to add a teenage driver to your auto insurance policy can be very expensive. Older drivers are viewed as being more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
  • Performance makes a difference - The type of car you own makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. The lowest rates are generally reserved for economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
  • Traffic citations inflate rates - Just one ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who have serious citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 form with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more miles you rack up on your car each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.

These discounts can lower your rates

Companies don't always publicize all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the best known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Early Signing - Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.
  • Good Student - Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last until age 25.
  • Payment Discounts - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
  • Senior Discount - Older drivers may qualify for better auto insurance rates.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Being on active duty in the military could mean lower rates.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

For a list of companies offering auto insurance discounts in Texas, click here to view.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a one size fits all plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you might need an agent's assistance.

  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Should I buy only the required Texas minimum liability coverage?
  • Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
  • When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?

If you're not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, free and can help protect your family.

Even more information can be read at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other useful links include Auto Insurance 101 and this page where you can research Brownsville insurance agents.

Texas auto insurance

A tidy conclusion

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where someone dropped collision coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.

In this article, we covered some good ideas how you can lower your auto insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from the least-expected company. Smaller companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than the large multi-state companies such as .