Free Guide to Paying Less for Hood River Auto Insurance Online

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you're not the only one. Numerous battle to insure your vehicles, so it can be very hard to choose a and get the definite lowest rate

If you have insurance now or need new coverage, you can learn to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. Finding affordable coverage in Hood River is not that difficult. Oregon consumers only need to know the most effective way to compare company rates online.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but you may find discounts that many people don't even know exist. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you complete an application, but some must be inquired about before they will apply. If they aren't giving you every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Driving fewer miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Defensive Driver - Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Military Rewards - Having a family member in the military could mean lower rates.
  • Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% depending on your company.
  • Braking Control Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
  • Senior Discount - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for reduced rates.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think it's possible to get free car insurance, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will cut the amount you have to pay.

auto insurance in Hood River

Why some people pay less for insurance in Hood River

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that go into determining auto insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

Listed below are some of the factors companies use to determine premiums.

  • Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Cars with high safety ratings tend to have better insurance rates. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you.
  • Don't get talked into coverage you don't need - There are many extra coverages that you can get tricked into buying if you aren't careful. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, accidental death and motor club memberships may be wasting your money. These may sound like a good investment initially, but if you don't need them get rid of them and save.
  • More than one policy can earn a discount - Most auto insurance companies will award you with lower prices to people who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can be ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal. You may still be able to find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.
  • An active claims history can cost you - Auto insurance companies in Oregon give better rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you file claims often, you can look forward to either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the large, substantial claims.
  • Battle of the sexes - Statistics demonstrate that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn't necessarily mean that women are better drivers. Women and men have accidents at about the same rate, but the male of the species cause more damage. Men also tend to have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI. Youthful male drivers are the most expensive to insure and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
  • A lapse in coverage is a bad thing - Allowing your coverage to lapse is a fast way to trigger a rate increase. Not only will rates go up, getting caught without coverage will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
  • A clean driving record saves money - Whether or not you get tickets impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Only having one speeding ticket can increase rates forty percent or more. Good drivers get better rates than bad drivers. Drivers with serious tickets such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions are required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.

Is there truth in advertising?

Oregon drivers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies make the same claim about savings if you switch to them.

How do they all say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. An example of a profitable customer might be profiled as a mature driver, has no tickets, and has great credit. A propective insured who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who don't measure up to the "perfect" profile must pay higher rates which leads to business not being written. The ad wording is "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's the way companies can truthfully advertise the savings.

This illustrates why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Additional information is available on the website for the Oregon Insurance Division found here. Oregon drivers can find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, read consumer alerts, and download brochures.

auto insurance in Hood River

A tidy conclusion

The cheapest auto insurance can be found on the web and with local Hood River insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.