Easy Methods to Cut Costs on Elizabethton Car Insurance

Buying the most affordable Elizabethton car insurance over the internet may be somewhat difficult for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. With so many choices of insurers to choose from, how can consumers even start to compare every company to locate the lowest rates?

Finding affordable coverage in Elizabethton is easy if you know what you're doing. In a nutshell, anyone who is required by state law to have car insurance stands a good chance to be able to save money. But Tennessee consumers do need to know the way insurance companies sell insurance online and apply this information to your search.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to big savings.

  • Equipment add-ons that lower car insurance rates - Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Anti-theft features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping car theft.
  • Teen drivers pay high rates - Youthful drivers in Tennessee are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted when driving so they pay higher car insurance rates. Having to add a youthful driver to your car insurance policy can be quite pricey. More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
  • Poor driving leads to higher costs - Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Even one ticket can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. If you have serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
  • Your location affects your rates - Residing in less populated areas can save you money when talking about car insurance. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents.
  • Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year's time the higher your rate. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your car insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.

compare Elizabethton car insurance rates

Free Quotes for Car Insurance in Elizabethton, Tennessee

Comparing car insurance rates can be a daunting task if you don't understand the best way to get rate quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to insurance agencies in Elizabethton, or you could save time and use online quotes to get prices fast.

Most of the larger companies belong to an insurance system that allows shoppers to only type in their quote data once, and each company provides a quote for coverage. This saves time by eliminating quote forms for each company you want a rate for. To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

One minor caviat to pricing coverage this way is you are unable to specify which providers to get quotes from. So if you want to choose specific insurance companies to compare, we have a page of car insurance companies in Tennessee. Click here for list of insurance companies in Tennessee.

It's your choice how you get your quotes, but make darn sure you compare identical coverages and limits with every price quote. If you use different deductibles it's not possible to find the best deal in Elizabethton. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages may result in a large different in cost. And when comparison shopping, getting more free quotes helps you find a lower rate.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don't necessarily list every discount very clearly, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Payment Discounts - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Save with a New Car - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Good Student Discount - This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
  • Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
  • Own a Home - Simply owning a home can help you save on car insurance because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Multi-car Discount - Buying insurance for more than one vehicle with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • Senior Citizens - If you're over the age of 55, you may qualify for better car insurance rates.
  • Seat Belts Save - Drivers who require all occupants to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • No Accidents - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Paperwork-free - A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in Tennessee, click here to view.

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

Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all make an identical promise that you'll save big if you switch to their company. How does each company claim to save you money?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer might be a mature driver, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don't meet these standards will be quoted a more expensive rate and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. This is how companies can advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

How much car insurance do I need?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a "best" method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

For example, these questions may help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.

  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Should I buy only the required Tennessee 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?
  • Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
  • Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
  • Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?

If you're not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form.

More detailed Tennessee car insurance information can be found at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about a company.

Other informative sites include this page for car insurance prices in Tennessee and this list of insurance agents in Elizabethton, TN.

Elizabethton car insurance comparison

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

People switch companies for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, not issuing a premium refund, high prices or even delays in paying claims. It doesn't matter what your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don't reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

We just covered many tips how you can compare car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the best price on car insurance is with the least-expected company.