Top Ways to Save on Castlewood Auto Insurance

Have you had enough of being strong-armed each month for car insurance? You are no different than millions of other consumers.

Multiple compete for your hard-earned dollar, so it's not easy to compare every to find the absolute lowest rate

It's important to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews because insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best deal a couple years back you may be paying too much now. So forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because you're about to learn the only way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using these techniques. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Castlewood is easy if you know what you're doing. But Virginia drivers do need to know the way companies price insurance differently and take advantage of how the system works.

How to Compare Castlewood Auto Insurance Rates

Most major insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm give prices for coverage on the web. Getting online rates is fairly straightforward as you just type in into the quote form. Behind the scenes, the company's rating system will obtain your credit score and driving record and gives you a price quote based on many factors. Online price quotes makes comparing rates easy, but the process of having to visit multiple sites and type in the same information is repetitive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, it is important to get many rate quotes in order to get a lower rate.

A less time-consuming method to lower your auto insurance bill uses one simple form that gets price quotes from multiple companies. It's a real time-saver, reduces the work, and makes quoting online much easier to do. Immediately after you send the form, your coverage is rated and you can select any of the returned quotes. If you find a better price you can click and sign and purchase the new policy. This process takes just a few minutes to complete and may result in a nice savings.

To save time and find out how much you're overpaying now, click here and fill out the form. If you have a policy now, it's recommended you complete the form with deductibles and limits identical to your current policy. This way, you will receive a rate comparison based on similar coverages.

Castlewood auto insurance comparison

What determines how much you pay?

It's important that you understand some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with big savings.

The following are some of the factors companies use to determine rates.

  • Do men or women drive better? - The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. They both cause accidents at about the same rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are the most expensive to insure and thus pay the highest rates.
  • High numbers of claims are not good - Car insurance companies in Virginia provide better rates to people who file claims infrequently. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Where do you drive? - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
  • Drive a safer car and pay less - Vehicles with good safety scores are cheaper to insure. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.
  • Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like personal injury protection, towing coverage and motor club memberships are examples of these. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if you don't need them get rid of them and save.
  • Traffic violations increase rates - Your driving citation history impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Just one speeding ticket can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Good drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who have flagrant citations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
  • Marriage brings a discount - Being married can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. It is viewed as being more mature than a single person and statistics show drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • Type of vehicle determines base rates - The make and model of the vehicle you own makes a substantial difference in your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

More discounts equal less premium

Auto insurance companies don't always advertise all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both well-publicized and also the lesser-known auto insurance savings.

  • Save over 55 - Older drivers may be able to get reduced rates.
  • Employee of Federal Government - Simply working for the federal government may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
  • Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Driver Safety - Taking part in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
  • Good Students Pay Less - Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • Sign Online - A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
  • One Accident Forgiven - A few companies allow you one accident without raising rates as long as you don't have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Early Switch Discount - Some companies give discounts for switching policies before your current policy expires. It's a savings of about 10%.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don't profit that way.

For a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Castlewood, follow this link.

More detailed Virginia auto insurance information is available at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Virginia consumers can learn about insurance regulations, download brochures, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find disaster information.

Final considerations

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.

Discount auto insurance can be purchased online and with local Castlewood insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies do not offer online quoting and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.