Clear Lake Car Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Comparison shopping for Clear Lake car insurance is a challenge for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. There are so many companies to choose from that it can quickly become more work than you anticipated to locate the lowest price in Clear Lake.

If you have car insurance now, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this information. This article will instruct you on the best way to quote coverages and some money-saving tips. But Minnesota car owners do need to know the way companies compete online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Learn How to Buy Car Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.

The following are a partial list of the pieces that factor into prices.

  • An active claims history can cost you - If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Companies in Minnesota give better rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Theft deterrents lower rates - Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Men pay higher rates - The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Women and men have accidents in similar numbers, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically have more aggressive citations such as reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are the most expensive to insure and are penalized with high car insurance rates.
  • Do you need the policy add-ons? - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money on your policy. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and membership fees may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea initially, but your needs may have changed so get rid of them and save.
  • Better credit scores mean better rates - Having a bad credit history is a big factor in your rate calculation. If your credit rating is not that good, you could save money insuring your by repairing your credit. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
  • Discounts for married couples - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount on your car insurance policy. Having a significant other usually means you are more mature than a single person and statistics show drivers who are married are more cautious.
  • More than one policy can earn a discount - Many car insurance companies provide better rates to policyholders who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.

compare Clear Lake car insurance rates

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance do not list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on car insurance.

  • Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
  • Payment Method - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
  • 55 and Retired - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
  • Driver Safety - Completing a driver safety course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
  • Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags can get savings of more than 20%.
  • One Accident Forgiven - A few companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Fewer annual miles could be rewarded with better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Buying insurance for multiple vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So despite the fact that it appears it's possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts in Clear Lake, click this link.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all make the same claim that you'll save big after switching your policy. How do they all make the same claim? It's all in the numbers.

All companies can use profiling for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has great credit. A customer who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will be quoted higher premiums which leads to business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's why companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why you should get a wide range of price quotes. Because you never know the company that will fit your personal profile best.

More detailed Minnesota car insurance information is located at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Consumers can download brochures, view a list of available companies, and learn about insurance regulations.

compare Clear Lake car insurance rates

Final considerations

Insureds change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, unfair underwriting practices, denial of a claim or even questionable increases in premium. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new car insurance company is easier than you think.

When you buy insurance online, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

We just showed you some good ideas how to save on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even discover the lowest rates come from a small mutual company.