Tightwads Guide to Saving on East Amherst Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can empty your bank account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparison shopping is a smart way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket. Having so many choices, it's nearly impossible to locate the lowest cost car insurance company.

It's important to compare prices quite often because insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best price on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the fastest and easiest way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

The purpose of this article is to help you learn how to effectively get price quotes and some money-saving tips. If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. New York consumers only need to know the most effective way to get comparison rates online.

Save big with these discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available that can drop the cost substantially. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but a few need to be inquired about prior to getting the savings. If you don't get every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

College Student - Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus may qualify for this discount.
Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for a small decrease in premiums.
Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
Anti-theft System - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Drive Less and Save - Keeping the miles down can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
More Vehicles More Savings - Insuring multiple cars or trucks on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Driver's Ed - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course in high school.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will help reduce your overall premium however.

But I don't know anything about car insurance

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in East Amherst?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?

If you don't know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and may give you better protection.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

New York consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to say the same thing about savings if you move your coverage to them.

But how can every company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be a mature driver, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A driver who fits that profile will get very good rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Potential customers who fall outside this ideal profile will have to pay a higher premium which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Additional information can be found on the website for the New York Department of Financial Services. Click here for link. New York consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about insurance regulations, download brochures, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in East Amherst.

Best coverage at the best price

When you buy insurance online, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price.

The cheapest auto insurance is definitely available online as well as from independent agents in East Amherst, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.