Free Guide to Spending Less for Carrollton Auto Insurance Online

Are you tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? You're in the same situation as many other Virginia consumers.

Because you have many online and local companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to find the most affordable insurer.

It's important to shop coverage around before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the best rates two years ago you can probably find a better price now. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding auto insurance online, so I'm going to show you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

Tips to Get Lower Carrollton Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

  • Lower miles equals lower premium - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage.
  • An active claims history can cost you - Car insurance companies in Virginia generally give discounts to drivers who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Rural vs Urban Areas - Being located in a rural area can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident and a lower car theft rate.
  • Multi-policy discounts can save money - Many insurance companies will give a discount to customers who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it's in your best interest to comparison shop to verify if the discount is saving money. You may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Liability insurance protects assets - Liability coverage will protect you if ever a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
  • Better crash test results mean better rates - Cars with high safety ratings get lower rates. These vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims passed on to you as lower rates.
  • Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as real estate brokers, social workers and stock brokers have the highest rates in part from high stress and lengthy work days. On the other hand, jobs such as farmers, students and performers get better rates.
  • Save money with special equipment - Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system all hinder auto theft.

Virginia auto insurance quotes

Don't pay full price with these discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for before you will receive the discount.

  • Discount for New Cars - Insuring a new car can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
  • Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Organization Discounts - Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on auto insurance.

It's important to note that some credits don't apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like it's possible to get free car insurance, you're out of luck. But any discount will help reduce your premiums.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Virginia, click here.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save after switching your coverage to them. But how can every company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, is a homeowner, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to this ideal profile will have to pay more money and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much money. That's why insurance companies can state the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should compare as many rates as you can. It's impossible to know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

More information can be read on the website for the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. Click here for link. Virginia consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, view agent and company licensing information, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include Auto Insurance 101 and this page where you can research Carrollton insurance agents.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

When buying insurance coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, an accident victim reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price.

Lower-priced auto insurance can be purchased online as well as from independent agents in Carrollton, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.