Free Guide to Paying Less for Herkimer Auto Insurance Online

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your checking account and put the squeeze on your family's finances. Comparison shopping is a great way to tighten up your finances.

Big companies like GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

It's important to price shop coverage yearly since insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best price six months ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you're about to find out the quickest way to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Herkimer is not that difficult. Although New York vehicle owners do need to know how big insurance companies sell online and apply this information to your search.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't list every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and will save you 10% or more.
Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out life insurance.
Clubs and Organizations - Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount on your policy.
No Claims - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially compared to drivers who are more careless.
Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class if offered at their school.
Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Own a Home - Being a homeowner can save you money because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions can help discover whether or not you might need professional guidance.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Do I qualify for additional discounts?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?

If you can't answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed 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.

Is there truth in advertising?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive consistently run television and radio advertisements. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you change your policy. How can each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk might be profiled as between 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and has a high credit rating. A propective insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don't measure up to the requirements will be charged higher prices and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. This is how companies can truthfully state the savings. That is why you should get as many quotes as possible. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.

Learn more about auto insurance in New York

Even more information can be found at the New York Department of Financial Services website. New York drivers can find out industry alerts, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, find out which companies have the most complaints, and read industry bulletins.

Final considerations

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

The cheapest auto insurance can be sourced on the web in addition to many Herkimer insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.