Tightwads Tips for Saving on Cobb Auto Insurance

I can't think of anyone who likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof. You have so many to pick from, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to price shop coverage occasionally because insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the lowest rates two years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting right now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the tricks you need to know to lower your annual insurance bill.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" that factor into rates.

Sex matters - Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, don't assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. They both are in accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get more serious tickets such as DWI and reckless driving.
Multi-policy discounts can save money - The majority of insurance companies will give a discount to customers who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount it's in your best interest to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
Optional equipment can affect rates - Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent auto theft.
Lower miles equals lower premium - The more you drive each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.

Finding Auto Insurance in Cobb, WI

All major auto insurance companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive provide coverage price quotes on the web. Getting online rates doesn't take a lot of time as you just type in your coverage preferences as detailed in the form. After the form is submitted, the company's rating system will obtain your credit score and driving record and provides a quote. This makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the work required to visit several different sites and complete many quote forms is monotonous and tiresome. But it's very important to perform this step if you want to find better auto insurance pricing.

The preferred way to get multiple rate quotes uses one simple form that gets price quotes from more than one company. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes rate comparisons much easier. As soon as the form is sent, it gets priced and you are able to buy any one of the resulting price quotes. If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, you can simply submit the application and purchase coverage. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes and you'll know if lower rates are available.

To save time and find out what other companies charge, click here to open in new window and input your coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you copy your coverages identical to your current policy. This makes sure you will have comparison quotes for the exact same coverage.

These discounts can lower your rates

Companies offering auto insurance don't necessarily list all their discounts very clearly, so we break down both well-publicized and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Accident Forgiveness - Certain companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don't have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
Theft Prevention System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Pay Upfront and Save - By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Drive Less and Save - Keeping the miles down can earn a substantially lower rate.
Military Discounts - Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Wisconsin, click here.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Wisconsin consumers can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance from companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim about savings if you move your policy.

How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be over the age of 40, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. A driver that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for these standards will have to pay higher prices and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully state the savings. Because of the profiling, you need to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Different people need different coverages

When buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions might point out whether you could use an agent's help.

Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?

If you can't answer these questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.

Even more information can be found at the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance website. Wisconsin consumers can learn about insurance regulations, read consumer alerts, view a list of available companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this site for Wisconsin auto insurance information and see this list of insurance agents in Cobb.

In the end, you save

Cheap auto insurance is possible online in addition to many Cobb insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.

When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price.