Finding Cheap Destin Auto Insurance

No one likes having to buy auto insurance, especially knowing the price is too high.

You have so many to pick from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to price shop coverage periodically since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best deal last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because it's time to teach you the proper way to lower your annual insurance bill.

Finding affordable coverage in Destin is easy if you know what you're doing. In a nutshell, everyone who is required by state law to have auto insurance will most likely be able to reduce their rates. But Florida vehicle owners do need to know how the larger insurance companies price online insurance and take advantage of how the system works.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that go into determining auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.

  • Your location affects your rates - Living in less populated areas can be a good thing when buying auto insurance. City drivers regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
  • Traffic citations inflate rates - Just one speeding ticket may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records receive lower rates than bad drivers. Drivers who have serious citations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
  • Better credit scores mean better rates - Credit score is a large factor in determining your rates. If your credit is lower than you'd like, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Consumers who have excellent credit tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with poor credit.
  • The more you drive the more you pay - The more miles you rack up on your car each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.

Florida auto insurance quotes

Destin Auto Insurance Comparisons

Comparing auto insurance rates can take hours if you don't understand the most efficient way to do it. You can spend your afternoon driving to insurance agencies in Destin, or you can utilize the web to get prices fast.

Most of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to submit their information once, and every company then returns a price quote based on that information. This eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for each company you want a rate for. To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

The only downside to using this type of form is buyers cannot specifically choose which providers you want to price. So if you prefer to choose specific insurance companies to request quotes from, we have a page of low cost auto insurance companies in Florida. Click here for list of insurance companies in Florida.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just be sure to compare identical coverage limits and deductibles for every company. If the quotes have different liability limits it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best in Destin. Just a small difference in insurance coverages may result in large price differences. Keep in mind that comparing more company's prices helps you find the best rates.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don't always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so here is a list some of the best known and the more hidden auto insurance savings.

  • Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may earn approximately 10% to 15%.
  • Early Signing - A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
  • New Vehicle Savings - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in school.
  • Payment Discounts - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
  • Sign Online - A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
  • Organization Discounts - Affiliation with a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
  • No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents can earn big discounts as compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose companies offering auto insurance discounts in Florida, follow this link.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all seem to say the same thing that you'll save big if you switch your policy. How does each company say the same thing?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A propective insured who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't meet these standards will have to pay more money which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads state "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That is how companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, you need to get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions may help highlight if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.

  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

More detailed Florida auto insurance information is available at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation website. Florida drivers can view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about a company, find out industry alerts, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include Wikipedia and this Destin agent directory.

Florida auto insurance

Final considerations

As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate.

In this article, we covered a lot of tips how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from an unexpected company. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like .