Tightwads Guide for Saving on Elm Springs Auto Insurance

I can't think of anyone who looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much. Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with advertising and consumers find it hard to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

It's important to compare prices occasionally because prices are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the best deal six months ago you may be paying too much now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the only way to find lower rates on auto insurance.

If you have a policy now or need a new policy, you can use these techniques to find better prices and possibly find even better coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Elm Springs is easy if you know what you're doing. South Dakota vehicle owners just need to know the proper way to compare company rates on the web.

Finding Auto Insurance Deals in Elm Springs, SD

There are several ways to shop for auto insurance, but there is one way that is easier and takes less work. You could spend your day driving to insurance companies in Elm Springs, or you can stay home and use the internet to get rates in a matter of minutes.

All the larger companies enroll in a system that allows shoppers to enter their coverage request one time, and each company then returns a price quote. This prevents consumers from doing repetitive form submissions to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here (opens in new window).

The only drawback to getting quotes like this is you cannot specify which companies you want to price. If you would rather choose from a list of companies to compare rates, we have a page of the cheapest auto insurance companies in South Dakota. Click here to view list.

Whichever method you choose, make absolute certain that you use exactly the same coverage limits for every quote you compare. If you compare differing limits you will not be able to determine the best price in Elm Springs.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

It's important that you understand the factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

Shown below are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

Your location affects your rates - Living in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Lower population translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic to deal with and much longer commute distances. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? - Some insurance companies will give a discount to customers who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be 10 percent or more. Even though this discount sounds good, it's in your best interest to shop around to ensure the best deal.
High crash test scores lower rates - Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. These vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates means less money paid by your insurance company and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Your car's features help determine rates - Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent auto theft.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies do not list all their discounts in a way that's easy to find, so here is a list both well-publicized and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

Bundle and Save - When you have multiple policies with one company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for a substantially lower rate.
Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
Multiple Cars - Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Accident Forgiveness - A handful of insurance companies will allow you to have one accident without raising rates as long as you don't have any claims for a set time period.
Safety Course Discount - Successfully completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Seat Belt Usage - Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
Federal Employees - Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that some credits don't apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way.

For a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates in Elm Springs, click here.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Every insured's situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you would benefit from an agent's advice.

What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?

If you can't answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, free and may give you better protection.

More detailed South Dakota auto insurance information is available at the South Dakota Division of Insurance website. South Dakota consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read consumer alerts, find disaster information, and view a list of available companies.

Best coverage at the best price

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. In many instances, an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable online and also from your neighborhood Elm Springs agents, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies may not provide online quoting and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

You just read a lot of ways to lower your auto insurance rates. It's most important to understand that the more rate quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the most savings is with a lesser-known regional company. Smaller companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like .