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

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your checking account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to make sure you're not throwing money away. Numerous battle for your business, and because of this it can be hard to compare to get the lowest rate

It's important to price shop coverage quite often because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best deal last year a different company probably has better rates today. Starting right now, ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the only way to lower your annual insurance bill.

If you are insured now or are shopping for new coverage, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. Finding the best rates in Edenton is quite easy. North Carolina drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to buy auto insurance online.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don't list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both well-publicized and the more hidden auto insurance savings. If they aren't giving you every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

  • Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts up to age 25.
  • Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for a discount up to 10%.
  • Student Driver Training - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in high school.
  • Low Mileage - Keeping the miles down can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Participating in certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on your policy.
  • Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member can result in better rates.
  • Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of up to 25% or more.
  • No Claims - Drivers who don't have accidents can earn big discounts compared to drivers who are more careless.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

North Carolina auto insurance

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes some of the factors that factor into your rates.

  • Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single speeding ticket may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to drive a vehicle legally.
  • Sex matters - Statistics have proven that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don't assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. Both sexes are in accidents at about the same rate, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
  • Save money with special equipment - Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
  • Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Vehicles with high crash test scores are cheaper to insure. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and lower rates for you.
  • Protect your assets with liability insurance - The liability section of your policy is the protection in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides legal defense coverage which can be incredibly expensive. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone's needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For instance, these questions may help you determine whether you might need an agent's assistance.

  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in North Carolina?
  • Should I buy additional glass protection?
  • Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
  • Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

How can State Farm and Allstate save drivers who switch?

North Carolina consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from companies such as State Farm and Allstate. All the ads say the same thing of big savings if you move your policy.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who are not a match for the "perfect" profile will be charged more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. That is why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

More sites with auto insurance information

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. North Carolina consumers can file complaints about a company, learn about insurance regulations, view a list of available companies, and find disaster information.

Edenton auto insurance comparison

In the end, you save

You just read a lot of information how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even discover the lowest rates come from an unexpected company. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than the large multi-state companies such as .

As you prepare to switch companies, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.