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

I can't think of anyone who looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are through the roof.

Big-name insurance companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Gettysburg is easy if you know what you're doing. But South Dakota vehicle owners do need to know how big insurance companies price online insurance and use this information to your advantage.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Car insurance companies don't always advertise every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we break down some of the best known and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.

Military Rewards - Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Anti-theft System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class in school.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
Seat Belt Usage - Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Early Signing - Select companies give a discount for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
Life Insurance Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
Multi-car Discount - Having more than one vehicle on one policy qualifies for this discount.

Consumers should know that some credits don't apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don't profit that way.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

Save money with special equipment - Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft features such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can help prevent auto theft.
Better credit means lower rates - Having a bad credit score is a huge factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit is lower than you'd like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers with high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with poor credit.
How many coverages with the same company - Most insurance companies provide better rates to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to 10 percent or more. Even though this discount sounds good, it's in your best interest to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
You might want pay the small claims yourself - Companies in South Dakota generally give cheaper rates to people who file claims infrequently. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every insured's situation is different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you might need professional guidance.

Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?

If you can't answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

The auto insurance bait and switch

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. They all have a common claim that you'll save big if you switch to them. How can each company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, owns a home, and has excellent credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to the requirements will be quoted more money and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That is how companies can make those claims. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It's not possible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

More detailed South Dakota auto insurance information can be found at the South Dakota Division of Insurance website. South Dakota drivers can view a list of available companies, find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, and download brochures.

Affordable insurance is out there

While you're price shopping online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

In this article, we covered a lot of ways to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the best prices are with a lesser-known regional company. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as .