Tightwads Tips for Saving on Hutchinson Car Insurance

Overpriced car insurance can empty your personal savings, especially in this economy. Shopping your coverage around is a smart way to tighten up your finances.

Drivers have multiple to pick from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates quite often because rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the lowest price a few years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Don't believe everything you read about car insurance on the web, but we're going to give you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't list every available discount very clearly, 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 are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • New Car Discount - Insuring a new car is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
  • Multi-policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one insurance company you could get a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
  • 55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for better car insurance rates.

Keep in mind that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn't work that way.

Hutchinson car insurance quote

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone's situation is a little different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For instance, these questions may help you determine whether you might need an agent's assistance.

  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Minnesota?
  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Should I buy only the required Minnesota minimum liability coverage?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Minnesota?
  • Am I covered by my employer's commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
  • Are rental cars covered under my policy?
  • Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

How can Allstate and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. All the ads say the same thing that you can save if you switch to their company. How does each company make the same claim?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has a short commute. A customer who fits that profile will get very good rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will be charged a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say "customers that switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. This is how insurance companies can make the claims of big savings. That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. Because you never know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

More sites with car insurance information

Additional detailed information is located at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Consumers can read consumer alerts, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about a company, and view agent and company licensing information.

Also read more on BankRate.com's Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this directory of Hutchinson insurance agents.

Hutchinson car insurance comparison

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

As you shop your coverage around, make sure you don't buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, drivers have reduced collision coverage and learned later that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

We just showed you a lot of tips how to reduce car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more quotes you get, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than the large multi-state companies such as .

Affordable car insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Hutchinson agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.