Car Insurance in Chamois - 7 Discounts You Might be Losing Out On

No one in their right mind looks forward to paying for car insurance, particularly when the cost is way too high.

Online insurance companies like GEICO and Progressive continually hit you with TV and radio ads and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

It's important to price shop coverage occasionally since rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you're about to find out the only way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance is not cheap, buy you may qualify for discounts that many people don't even know exist. Most are applied when you purchase, but a few need to be asked about before being credited.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may earn approximately 10% to 15%.
Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in school.
Payment Discounts - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Homeowners Savings - Being a homeowner may trigger a car insurance policy discount because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Just because you may think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will reduce your premiums.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a "best" method to buy coverage. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if you could use an agent's help.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you switch your policy. How can each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk might be over the age of 40, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Consumers who do not match the requirements will be charged higher prices which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

That is why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's just too difficult to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

For more Missouri car insurance information

Additional information can be found on the website for the Missouri Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and download brochures.

Affordable insurance is out there

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, an insured cut physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap car insurance can be found both online in addition to many Chamois insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some car insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.