9 Best Tricks to Cut Car Insurance Costs in Highland

No one in their right mind looks forward to paying for car insurance, especially when they are paying too much.

Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive persitently shower you with ads and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It's important to price shop coverage occasionally since rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest price six months ago you will most likely find a better rate today. There is a lot of bad advice regarding car insurance on the web, but we're going to give you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so we researched some of the more common as well as the least known car insurance savings.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
Clubs and Organizations - Belonging to a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break on your policy.
Military Discounts - Having a deployed family member could be rewarded with lower premiums.
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 - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
Resident Student - Children who are attending college and don't have a car may qualify for this discount.
Discount for Life Insurance - Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out a life insurance policy as well.
55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a discount up to 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you won't be that lucky.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a "perfect" insurance plan. Everyone's situation is a little different so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Am I getting all the discounts available?
Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, 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 car insurance companies in your area.

Are car insurance companies telling the truth?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive consistently run ads on TV and radio. All the ads say the same thing about savings if you change your policy. How can each company make the same claim?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk could be between 30 and 50, owns a home, and has a high credit rating. Any new insured who fits that profile receives the best rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will be charged higher premiums which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully state the savings. That is why you should get quotes from several different companies. It's just too difficult to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Even more information is located at the New York Department of Financial Services website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, find out which companies have the most complaints, and view a list of available companies.

Shop smart and save

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, an insured cut collision coverage and learned later 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.

Cheaper car insurance can be sourced from both online companies in addition to many Highland insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.