How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Gatlinburg

Nobody looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof. Insurance companies such as GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance don't necessarily list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both well-publicized and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

Service Members Pay Less - Being on active duty in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Good Student - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
No Accidents - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially when compared to drivers who are more careless.
Multiple Vehicles - Buying insurance for multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out life insurance.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

You have some control over your rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

Safer occupants lowers premiums - Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates means less money paid by your insurance company and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even one moving violation can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
Men pay higher rates - Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes have accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are the most expensive to insure and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Careers like lawyers, business owners and dentists tend to have the highest average rates due to high stress levels and long work days. Other occupations like scientists, historians and performers receive lower rates.

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need an agent's assistance.

Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Tennessee?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It's fast, doesn't cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Tennessee consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise about savings after switching to their company.

How can each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted more money and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will have the lowest rates.

Additional Tennessee consumer information

Even more information can be found at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website. Tennessee consumers can find disaster information, file complaints about a company, learn about insurance regulations, and read industry bulletins.

A tidy conclusion

You just read many tips how you can reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper compared to the large companies like .

While you're price shopping online, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.