How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Fair Bluff

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, many Fair Bluff consumers feel financially strained by their auto insurance policy. Consumers have many to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to be able to choose, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

This information will help educate you on how car insurance quotes work. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to save some money using these methods. North Carolina vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to get comparison rates over the internet.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like doctors, business owners and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates in part from stressful work requirements and long work days. Conversely, professions such as actors, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
Do you know your deductibles? - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. The more money you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your auto insurance will be.
Your location affects your rates - Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas can save you money when buying auto insurance. Drivers who live in large cities regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Lower population translates into fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
Do men or women drive better? - Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically receive more costly citations like reckless driving and DUI. Teenage male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Theft deterrents lower rates - Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart car theft.
One company can mean more discounts - Many insurers provide better rates to people who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's in your best interest to comparison shop to ensure the best deal. You may still find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.

Save big with these discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be applied when you get a quote, but some must be asked about before you will receive the discount. If you're not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Multiple Vehicles - Insuring multiple vehicles with the same company qualifies for this discount.
Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance.
Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you may save at least 10% off all policies.
Theft Prevention Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
Low Mileage Discounts - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Driver Safety - Successfully completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.

Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your overall premium however.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in North Carolina, click here to view.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

North Carolina drivers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings by Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise that you'll save big after switching to their company.

How does each company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when switching.

Drivers who fall outside these standards will be quoted higher premiums and ends up with business not being written. The ads say "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's the way companies can advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Learn more about North Carolina auto insurance

Much more information about auto insurance in North Carolina is available on the website for the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Click here for link. North Carolina drivers can read industry bulletins, report car insurance fraud, view agent and company licensing information, and learn about insurance regulations.

Best coverage at the best price

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be purchased on the web and also from your neighborhood Fair Bluff agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.