Hempstead Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Are you intimidated by the wide range of auto insurance options in Hempstead? You're not the only one! Consumers have so many options available that it can turn into a real hassle to find the best price.

It's important to compare prices every six months since insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best rates a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. Don't believe everything you read about auto insurance on the web, but I'm going to show you some great ways to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

Locating the lowest cost auto insurance coverage in Hempstead can be fairly easy. If you are insured now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. New York vehicle owners just need to know the best way to compare rates online.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

With age comes lower rates - Teenage drivers in New York tend to be more careless when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
Don't sacrifice liability coverage - The liability section of your policy provides coverage if ever a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. It provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Car insurance companies in New York provide lower rates to people who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
Proper usage rating affects rates - The more you drive in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Almost all companies price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
Optional equipment can affect rates - Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM's OnStar system can thwart your car from being stolen.
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. A few examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. Your deductibles are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more expense you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but some may not be applied and must be asked about before being credited. If you're not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for a small decrease in premiums.
Organization Discounts - Affiliation with a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.
Federal Government Employee - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
New Vehicle Savings - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
Pay Upfront and Save - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you could save up to 5%.
More Vehicles More Savings - Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
College Student - Children living away from home attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Defensive Driving Course - Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may save up to 20% off your total premium.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in New York, follow this link.

Save $429 a year? Really?

New York drivers can't ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to say the same thing that you'll save big if you move your coverage to them.

How does each company say the same thing?

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 40 and 55, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A propective insured who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Consumers who don't qualify for these standards will have to pay higher prices which usually ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's the way companies can advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should quote coverage with many companies. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Much more information about auto insurance in New York can be read on the New York Department of Financial Services website located here. New York drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and download brochures.

Other informative sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Hempstead.

A tidy conclusion

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is definitely available on the web as well as from independent agents in Hempstead, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies don't offer online price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

Consumers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as not issuing a premium refund, questionable increases in premium, high rates after DUI convictions or even delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.