Best Way to Find Low-Cost Helotes Auto Insurance

If you are a novice to online auto insurance shopping, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the hoards of auto insurance companies competing for business in Helotes.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" that factor into prices.

  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Owning a car with an alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent your car from being stolen.
  • Discounts for multiple policies - Many companies provide better rates to customers who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you still need to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • Teen drivers pay high rates - Teen drivers in Texas are known to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Adding a youthful driver onto your auto insurance can be quite pricey. Older drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
  • Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even one moving violation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. If you have flagrant violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.

compare Helotes auto insurance rates

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Helotes, TX

There are several ways to shop for auto insurance, but there is one way that is less time-consuming than others. You can spend your afternoon talking to agents in Helotes, or you could save time and use online quoting for quick rates.

Most of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to enter their coverage request one time, and every company provides a quote for coverage. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here to open in new window.

One minor caviat to using this type of form is that you can't choose which providers to get quotes from. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies for rate comparison, we have assembled a list of auto insurance companies in Texas. Click to view list.

Whichever way you use, make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples coverage information for every company. If you use unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best in Helotes. Just a small difference in limits may result in large price differences. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that comparing more company's prices gives you a better chance of getting the best offered rates.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, buy you may qualify for discounts to cut the cost considerably. Most are applied at quote time, but less common discounts must be manually applied in order for you to get them.

  • Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member may qualify for rate reductions.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount - Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.
  • Discount for New Cars - Insuring a new car can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Good Student - This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Organization Discounts - Participating in a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break when shopping for auto insurance.

Keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will help reduce the amount you have to pay.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Texas, follow this link.

Is there truth in advertising?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing that you can save after switching your policy. But how can every company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, owns a home, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be quoted more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can make the claims of big savings.

This emphasizes why you need to compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone's needs are different.

For example, these questions might point out whether or not you could use an agent's help.

  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Texas?
  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
  • Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.

More information can be found on the Texas Department of Insurance website located here. Texas consumers can view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Other informative sites include this page for auto insurance prices in Texas and this page of Helotes insurance agents.

Helotes auto insurance quote

Do the work, save more money

Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund or even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.

As you shop your coverage around, don't be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an insured cut physical damage coverage only to discover later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

You just read many ways to compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the lowest premiums are with a small local company.