How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Clinton

Nobody I know likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when the cost is too high.

You have multiple to pick from, and although it's nice to have a choice, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to do rate comparisons occasionally because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates last year you may be paying too much now. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance online, so we're going to give you some great ways to slash your auto insurance rates.

This information will introduce you to the most effective way to quote insurance and some tips to save money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. Nevertheless, Minnesota drivers do need to know the way companies sell online.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Clinton, MN

Most major insurance companies like State Farm and Allstate quote pricing on their websites. Getting online rates is pretty easy as you simply enter your coverage preferences as detailed in the form. Behind the scenes, the company's rating system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and gives you a price quote based on these factors. This makes comparing rates easy, but the process of having to visit a lot of sites and complete many quote forms is repetitive and time-consuming. But it's very important to perform this step if you are searching for the best price on auto insurance.

A less time-consuming method to get multiple rate quotes uses one simple form that analyzes rates from a bunch of companies at once. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes quoting online much easier to do. Immediately after submitting the form, it is quoted and you can select any one of the returned quotes.

If a lower price is quoted, you can click and sign and purchase coverage. It can be completed in less than 10 minutes and can result in significant savings.

To save time and find out if lower rates are available, click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you type in coverages and limits exactly as they are listed on your policy. This way, you will receive a fair comparison based on similar coverages.

Why some people pay less for insurance in Clinton

It's important that you understand some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

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

Traffic violations increase rates - Even a single ticket can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Good drivers have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
Multiple policies with one company can save - Many companies give discounts to customers who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you still need to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
Marriage pays dividends - Getting married can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Marriage is viewed as being more mature and responsible and it's proven that married couples file fewer claims.
Rate your vehicle for proper use - Driving more miles each year the higher your rates will be. Most companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Car insurance can cost a lot, but you may find discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be asked for before you will receive the discount.

Early Switch Discount - Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching policies before your current policy expires. It's a savings of about 10%.
Theft Prevention Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies will forgive one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a set time period.
Discount for Life Insurance - Larger companies have a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Driver Safety - Successfully completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Good Student - Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.

It's important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down the cost of coverage.

For a list of providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Minnesota, follow this link.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a one size fits all plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions might point out whether you might need an agent's assistance.

Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

Additional auto insurance information can be read on the website for the Minnesota Department of Commerce located here. Minnesota consumers can file complaints about a company, read consumer alerts, get help finding coverage, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other useful links include III.org's auto insurance page and this directory of insurance agents in Clinton Minnesota.

Do the work, save more money

In this article, we presented many ways to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even discover the lowest rates come from the least-expected company. Smaller companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas than the large multi-state companies such as .

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don't reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an insured cut full coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced online and with local Clinton insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. A few companies do not offer online quoting and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.