9 Money Saving Ideas Proven to Save Money on Car Insurance Costs in Freeman

Expensive car insurance can drain your personal savings and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparison shopping is a smart way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket. Numerous battle for your business, and because of this it can be hard to compare and get the definite lowest rate

It's important to do rate comparisons yearly since rates are constantly changing. If you had the lowest rates two years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. So just ignore everything you know about car insurance because we're going to show you the tricks you need to know to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies don't always list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down both the well known and the more hidden car insurance savings. If they aren't giving you every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.

Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply up to age 25.
Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Accident Free - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially compared to drivers who are more careless.
Defensive Driving Course - Successfully completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you could get a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
Student Driver Training - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in high school.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy life insurance.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, car insurance companies aren't that generous.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no "best" method to buy coverage. Each situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions can help discover whether or not you would benefit from professional advice.

Should I buy only the required South Dakota minimum liability coverage?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in South Dakota?
Should I buy additional glass protection?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

Is there truth in advertising?

Consumers in South Dakota get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings by companies like State Farm and Allstate. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you move to them.

How do they all claim to save you money?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk might be a mature driver, has no prior claims, and chooses high deductibles. Any new insured who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who don't measure up to the "perfect" profile will be charged higher prices which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. This is how companies can truthfully state the savings. That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about car insurance in South Dakota

Even more information can be found at the South Dakota Division of Insurance website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read industry bulletins, and discover disciplinary actions.

A tidy conclusion

We just covered many ways to reduce car insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the best price on car insurance is with a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Regional companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like .

When buying insurance coverage, you should never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.