Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Haven Auto Insurance

Expensive auto insurance can empty your checking account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparison shopping is a smart way to make sure you're not throwing money away.

Lots of contend to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare to find the absolute lowest price

It's important to check auto insurance prices yearly since insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance on the internet, so we're going to give you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine your rates.

A clean driving record saves money - Even a single citation can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Good drivers receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to drive a vehicle legally.
The more you drive the more you pay - The more you drive in a year's time the higher your rates will be. Most companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles not used for work or commuting receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices like GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
Liability coverage protects you - The liability section of your policy is the protection in the event that a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
High numbers of claims are not good - Insurance companies in Kansas provide better rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically at the time you complete a quote, but a few must be manually applied prior to getting the savings.

Good Student Discount - This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up to age 25.
New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Pay Upfront and Save - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you can actually save on your bill.
Organization Discounts - Affiliation with certain professional organizations could qualify you for a break on your policy.
Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will cut your premiums.

To choose providers with the best auto insurance discounts in Haven, follow this link.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads in print and on television. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you move to them. How do they all say the same thing?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a preferred risk might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no prior claims, and has a short commute. A propective insured who fits that profile receives the best rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who do not match the "perfect" profile will be charged a more expensive rate which usually ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. This is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

It's not one size fits all

When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you would benefit from an agent's advice.

Should I buy only the required Kansas minimum liability coverage?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
Do I qualify for additional discounts?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, 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 auto insurance companies in your area.

Learn more about auto insurance in Kansas

Additional information is located on the website for the Kansas Insurance Department through this link. Kansas drivers can file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, view a list of available companies, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Do the work, save more money

Throughout this article, we presented many ways to save on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. You may even discover the most savings is with an unexpected company. Some small companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments as compared to the big name companies such as .

As you shop your coverage around, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.