How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Concord

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your checking account, especially in this economy. Comparing price quotes is free and is an excellent way to tighten up your finances.

Consumers have many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates quite often because prices are constantly changing. Just because you had the lowest rates two years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the tricks you need to know to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Finding the cheapest coverage in Concord is not that difficult. In a nutshell, anyone who has to buy auto insurance should be able to reduce their rates. Nevertheless, North Carolina drivers do need to know how big insurance companies sell insurance online and use this information to your advantage.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
Teen drivers pay high rates - Teen drivers in North Carolina are statistically proven to be less responsible when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Parents adding a youthful driver to your auto insurance policy can break the bank. More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
Discounts for married couples - Having a spouse can actually save you money on your auto insurance policy. Marriage means you're more mature and responsible and it's proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Proper usage rating affects rates - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year's time the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
Protect yourself with liability coverage - Liability insurance is the protection in the event that a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance in Concord, North Carolina

The are a couple different ways of comparing price quotes from local Concord auto insurance companies. One of the best ways to compare insurance prices consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

The fastest way to find the lowest comparison rates is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This form prevents you from having to do multiple quote forms for every auto insurance company. One form will return quotes from multiple low-cost companies.
A more difficult way to shop for auto insurance online is to take the time to go to each company website to request a price quote. For examples sake, we'll pretend you want comparison quotes from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Concord, click here.
The hardest way to compare rates is to spend time driving to local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you require the professional guidance of a local agent. Drivers can find lower rates online but buy from a local insurance agent. We'll cover that shortly.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just make darn sure you compare identical coverages and limits for each price quote. If you use different deductibles it's impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Concord. Having just a slight variation in coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. And when comparison shopping, getting more free quotes helps locate a lower rate.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts that you may not even be aware of. A few discounts will automatically apply when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be specially asked for before you will receive the discount.

Good Student Discount - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
Discount for New Cars - Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
E-sign - Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing over the internet.
Auto/Life Discount - Larger companies have a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Organization Discounts - Participating in a qualifying organization could trigger savings on your policy.
Payment Discounts - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Multi-car Discount - Buying insurance for more than one vehicle with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.

It's important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose providers offering auto insurance discounts in North Carolina, click this link.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads make the same claim of big savings if you switch to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be between 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Drivers who don't qualify for these standards will be charged higher premiums which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. This is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

That is why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Insurance agents can help

When buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone's situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. For example, these questions may help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in North Carolina?
Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Am I getting all the discounts available?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Are rental cars covered under my policy?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance 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 found on the website for the North Carolina Department of Insurance located here. North Carolina consumers can file complaints about a company, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, get help finding coverage, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

You just read some good ideas how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the best prices are with some of the lesser-known companies. These smaller insurers can often provide lower rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like .

When buying insurance coverage, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Low-cost auto insurance is available online and also from your neighborhood Concord agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.