Tightwads Guide for Saving on Elma Car Insurance

No one looks forward to paying for car insurance, especially when the price is too high.

Popular companies such as GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with advertising and it can be hard to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

It's important to price shop coverage occasionally because rates are constantly changing. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. So just forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you're going to learn the proper way to lower your annual insurance bill.

If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to save some money using these methods. Buying car insurance in Elma is quite easy. Nevertheless, Washington car owners do need to know the way companies compete online and take advantage of how the system works.

Learn How to Buy Car Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

The following are some of the factors that factor into rates.

With age comes lower rates - Older drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations. Young drivers are known to get distracted easily behind the wheel and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Many car insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who carry more than one policy such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. If you currently are using one company, you may still want to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
Men pay higher rates - Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also have more aggressive citations such as reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are several times more likely to be in an accident and are penalized with high car insurance rates.
Small claims can cost you - If you file claims often, you can look forward to either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance companies in Washington give cheaper rates to policyholders who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of larger claims.

Take advantage of discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, buy you may qualify for discounts to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be applied at quote time, but some must be inquired about in order for you to get them.

College Student - Any of your kids who live away from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
Braking Control Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
55 and Retired - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
Air Bag Discount - Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
Payment Method - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
Sign Online - Some insurance companies will give a small break simply for signing digitally online.
Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates you could get a free car insurance policy, companies don't profit that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your overall premium however.

To choose companies who offer car insurance discounts in Elma, click this link.

Are car insurance companies telling the truth?

Car insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make the same claim of big savings after switching your policy. How can each company make the same claim?

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and has great credit. A customer who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the requirements will have to pay more money which leads to business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should compare as many rates as you can. Because you never know which company will fit your personal profile best.

How to know if you need help

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Everyone's needs are different so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

What are Washington no-fault laws?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Washington?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Additional car insurance information is available on the website for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner through this link. Consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, read consumer alerts, learn about insurance regulations, and download brochures.

Final considerations

When you buy insurance online, it's a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate.

Cost effective car insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Elma insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.