East Rochester Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

If online auto insurance comparisons are new to you, you can be overwhelmed by the large number of auto insurance companies all offering big savings in East Rochester.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. Most are applied at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be asked about before you will receive the discount. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

  • Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Good Student - Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Discount for New Cars - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
  • Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down your premiums.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

The following are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Frequent auto insurance claims increase rates - Companies in New York give lower rates to insureds who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for larger claims.
  • Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even one ticket can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
  • Where you live can impact rates - Living in a rural area can save you money when insuring your vehicles. Drivers in populated areas tend to have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
  • Where do you drive? - Driving more miles each year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether or not you could use an agent's help.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Should I buy only the required New York minimum liability coverage?
  • When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
  • Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
  • Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?

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 an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

The auto insurance bait and switch

New York consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim about savings after switching to their company.

How does each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, a clean driving record, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when switching.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to these standards will be quoted more money which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Additional New York consumer information

Additional information can be read on the New York Department of Financial Services website found here. New York consumers can download brochures, file complaints about a company, and view agent and company licensing information.

Also read more on this site for auto insurance rates in New York and this list of insurance agents in East Rochester.

New York auto insurance

In the end, you save

Insureds change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, high prices, delays in paying claims and even lack of trust in their agent. Regardless of your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is less work than it seems.

You just read some good ideas how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest premiums are with some of the smallest insurance companies.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.