Tightwads Guide to Saving on Flushing Car Insurance
Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, there are lots of people in the same boat. Because you have many car insurance companies to choose from, it's nearly impossible to locate the cheapest insurance company.
It's important to do rate comparisons at least once a year due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates last year you will most likely find a better rate today. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding car insurance online, so I'm going to show you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.
Be sure to get all your discounts
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you may find discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be asked for before you get the savings. If you don't get every credit possible, you are throwing money away.
- Life Insurance Discount - Some companies give a break if you buy life insurance from them.
- Drive Less and Save - Fewer annual miles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
- No Charge for an Accident - Some insurance companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up as long as you don't have any claims for a certain period of time.
- Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
- College Student - Youth drivers living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will help reduce the amount you have to pay.
Is there truth in advertising?
Consumers in New York get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by companies like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save after switching to them.
But how can every company claim to save you money?
Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no tickets, and has great credit. Any driver that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.
Drivers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will have to pay a higher premium and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's the way insurance companies can advertise the savings.
Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. You cannot predict which car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.
More information can be read on the website for the New York Department of Financial Services located here. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, discover disciplinary actions, learn about insurance regulations, and read consumer alerts.
Also read more on Auto Insurance 101 and this page where you can research Flushing insurance agents.
Best coverage at the best price
As you prepare to switch companies, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, an insured dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.
Affordable car insurance can be sourced both online and with local Flushing insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
