How to Know You're Throwing Money Away for Auto Insurance in Fort Benton

Are you sick and tired of robbing Peter to pay Paul each month for car insurance? You are no different than the majority of other car owners in Montana.

Numerous battle for your hard-earned dollar, so it's not easy to compare every to get the lowest price

It's important to price shop coverage once or twice a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price a few years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to the only way to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Fort Benton is not that difficult. Although Montana drivers do need to know the way insurance companies price online insurance and apply this information to your search.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Car insurance companies don't list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both well-publicized as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

Anti-theft System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more.
Military Discounts - Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
Memberships - Participating in certain professional organizations may earn a discount on your policy.
Payment Discounts - By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Homeowners Pay Less - Being a homeowner can save you money because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
One Accident Forgiven - A few companies will forgive one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
Anti-lock Brakes - Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. Most cut individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won't be that lucky.

To see a list of providers offering auto insurance discounts in Fort Benton, click here.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs in Fort Benton

The are a couple different ways of comparing rate quotes and find the best price. The best method to compare insurance prices is to perform an online rate comparison. This can be done in several different ways.

The best way consumers can make multiple comparisons is a comparison rater form click to view form in new window. This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quotes for each company. Taking the time to complete one form compares rates instantly.
A less efficient way to shop for auto insurance online is going to the website for each individual company to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let's say you want rates from , and . You would have to visit each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Fort Benton, click here.

However you get your quotes, double check that you are using the exact same coverage limits and deductibles on every quote you get. If you compare different liability limits it's impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Fort Benton. Slightly different coverages may result in large price differences. It's important to know that comparing more company's prices will enable you to find the best rates.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" that factor into your rates.

Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Most insurance companies give discounts to customers who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to 10 percent or more. Even if you're getting this discount you still need to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still be able to find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder auto theft.
Don't skimp on liability - Liability insurance will protect you in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
Being married is a good thing - Having a spouse can actually save you money on auto insurance. Marriage usually means you are more responsible and it's proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Proper usage rating affects rates - The more miles you rack up on your car every year the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars that are left in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance policy is showing how each vehicle is driven.
Better credit scores mean better rates - Your credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. If your credit history is lower than you'd like, you could pay less to insure your by repairing your credit. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than drivers who have poor credit.
High crash test scores lower rates - Safer cars get lower rates. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you switch your policy. How do they all make almost identical claims?

Different companies can use profiling for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk could possibly be a mature driver, has no tickets, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver that hits that "sweet spot" gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who don't qualify for the "perfect" profile will be charged a higher premium and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's why companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. That is why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. It is impossible to predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Final considerations

When shopping online for auto insurance, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, an insured dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

The cheapest auto insurance can be found online in addition to many Fort Benton insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

Even more information can be found at the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website. Montana consumers can read consumer alerts, view a list of available companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and get help finding coverage.