Free Guide to Spending Less for Glen Carbon Auto Insurance Online

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you're not alone.

Consumers have many to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to have multiple companies, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

It's important to compare rates every six months since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we're going to demonstrate the only way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Glen Carbon is easy if you know what you're doing. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. But Illinois vehicle owners do need to know how companies price online insurance and apply this information to your search.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies don't list all their discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

Senior Discount - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for better auto insurance rates.
Multi-car Discount - Having more than one vehicle on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Theft Prevention System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Homeowners Discount - Owning a house in Glen Carbon can save you money because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Payment Discounts - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
Life Insurance Discount - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Seat Belt Usage - Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Bundle and Save - If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may save approximately 10% to 15%.
Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
Passive Restraints - Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that some credits don't apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn't make money that way.

You have some control over your rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

Listed below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

Older drivers pay less - Teenage drivers in Illinois are statistically proven to be more careless when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.
Do you know your deductibles? - Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are collision with another vehicle, vandalism, and burglary. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your auto insurance will be.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Most insurance companies will give a discount to people who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. You may still be able to find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
Having a spouse can save you money - Having a spouse can actually save you money on auto insurance. It means you're more mature than a single person and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart auto theft.
Please use or commuting - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Cars not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. They all seem to have a common claim that you'll save big if you switch to their company. How does each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who do not match these standards will have to pay a more expensive rate and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That's the way companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers should compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about Illinois auto insurance

More detailed Illinois auto insurance information can be found at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, report car insurance fraud, read consumer alerts, and get help finding coverage.

Final considerations

When you buy insurance online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be found on the web and also from your neighborhood Glen Carbon agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.