How to Find Cheap Elk Auto Insurance

Cutting costs on Elk auto insurance is hard for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. There are so many companies to choose from that it can easily become more work than you anticipated to find lower rates in Elk.

It's important to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance online but I'm going to show you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

The purpose of this article is to let you in on the best way to quote coverages and some money-saving tips. If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this information. But Washington consumers do need to know the way companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

The following are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

Women pay lower rates - The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. Men and women have accidents in similar numbers, but the males have costlier accidents. They also have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are the most expensive to insure and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Jobs such as judges, executives and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates due to stressful work requirements and long work hours. Conversely, occupations like farmers, engineers and performers have the lowest average rates.
Being married can save on auto insurance - Having a wife or husband can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. It is viewed as being more mature than a single person and statistics show drivers who are married are more cautious.
Where do you drive? - Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most companies charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Autos that are left in the garage receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Better credit means lower rates - Credit history is a big factor in your rate calculation. If your credit score is not that good, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Many auto insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal. You may still find better rates by buying insurance from more than one company.
Little extras can really add up - There are a ton of extra bells and whistles that you can buy when buying auto insurance. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, towing coverage and motor club memberships may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if you don't need them eliminate them to save money.
Bump up deductibles to save - Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims would be collision with another vehicle, collision with an animal, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. The more you're willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.

How much can you save with discounts?

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there are discounts available that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but a few must be inquired about before you get the savings.

Senior Citizens - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get reduced rates.
Accident Free - Claim-free drivers pay much less as compared to accident-prone drivers.
One Accident Forgiven - Certain companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
Auto/Life Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
Passive Restraints - Factory air bags may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Anti-theft System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Driver Safety - Taking a defensive driving course could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
Homeowners Pay Less - Owning a house in Elk may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
Military Rewards - Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Organization Discounts - Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings on auto insurance.

Drivers should understand that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Washington, click this link.

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

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make the same claim that you'll save big after switching to them. How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured might be between the ages of 30 and 50, is a homeowner, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Drivers who don't meet these standards will have to pay a higher premium which leads to the customer not buying. The ads say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's why companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Much more information about auto insurance in Washington is located on the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website found here. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

Other informative sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Elk.

Affordable insurance is out there

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced collision coverage and learned later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price.

Insureds change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including denial of a claim, high rates after DUI convictions, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even delays in paying claims. It doesn't matter what your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is easier than you think.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be sourced both online and with local Elk insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.