Tightwads Guide to Saving on Clatskanie Auto Insurance

No one likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much. Having so many companies to choose from, it's difficult to choose the right insurance company.

Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Clatskanie, OR

Getting better auto insurance pricing is surprisingly easy. Just invest a few minutes getting comparison quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways.

The first (and easiest) way to find low rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing separate quotation requests for each company you want a rate for. Just one form will return quotes from auto insurance companies with the best prices.

A harder way to compare rate quotes is to take the time to go to the website of each company and fill out their own quote form. For examples sake, let's assume you want to compare , and . To get each rate you have to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

To view a list of companies in Clatskanie, click here.

The most time-consuming method to compare rates is driving to and from local insurance agencies. Shopping for auto insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to compare the best prices online and still use a local agent and we'll touch on that later.

However you get your quotes, be sure to compare apples-to-apples coverages and limits for each comparison quote. If the quotes have different deductibles it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate in Clatskanie.

compare Clatskanie auto insurance rates

Tips to Get Lower Clatskanie Rates

It's important that you understand the factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Drive a safer car and pay less - Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. The safest vehicles protect occupants better and better occupant protection means less money paid by your insurance company passed on to you as lower rates.
  • The type of vehicle makes a difference - The type of car you are buying insurance for makes a significant difference in the rate you pay. The most favorable rates are generally reserved for economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
  • A clean driving record saves money - Even one speeding ticket can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who don't get tickets receive lower rates than bad drivers. If you have serious violations such as DUI or reckless driving may find they need to file a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Multiple policies with one company can save - Most insurance companies provide better rates to people who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount you may still want to shop around to verify if the discount is saving money.

Take advantage of discounts

Auto insurance companies do not advertise every discount very well, so here is a list some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you don't get every credit you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • Lower Rates for Military - Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
  • Early Signing - A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - When you have multiple policies with the same company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
  • Defensive Driver - Successfully completing a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Good Student - Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts until age 25.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

For a list of insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Oregon, click here.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone's needs are different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions may help highlight whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
  • Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
  • Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?

If you can't answer these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It's fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Even more information is available at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Oregon drivers can find disaster information, learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, and read consumer alerts.

Other useful links include this page for auto insurance prices in Oregon and this page of Clatskanie insurance agents.

Oregon auto insurance

Best coverage at the best price

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of techniques to lower your auto insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Drivers may discover the best price on auto insurance is with an unexpected company. Smaller companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than their larger competitors like .

When trying to cut insurance costs, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.