Proven Techniques to Save on Jackson Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, you are not the only one feeling buyer's remorse.

Because there are so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be hard to locate the most cost effective insurance company.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't always advertise every discount very well, so we researched both the well known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of a professional or civic organization may earn a discount when shopping for auto insurance.
Multiple Cars - Having all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Anti-theft System - Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
No Charge for an Accident - Some insurance companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.

Keep in mind that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it just doesn't work that way.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

Shown below are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine prices.

Car features impact rates - Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention devices such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can thwart auto theft.
Do you have enough liability coverage? - Your policy's liability coverage provides coverage when you are found liable for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.
Do you know your deductibles? - The deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims would be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, or theft. The more you're willing to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
Multiple policies with one company can save - Some insurance companies provide better rates to insureds who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you still need to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still find a better deal by splitting coverages up.
Males pay more for insurance - Statistics demonstrate women tend to be less risk to insure than men. Now that doesn't mean women are better drivers. Men and women cause accidents in similar numbers, but the men tend to have more serious accidents. Men also statistically get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving.
Better credit means lower rates - Having a bad credit score is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with lower ratings. Therefore, if your credit score is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your rating.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO consistently run ads in print and on television. They all have a common claim that you can save if you change to them. But how can every company claim to save you money?

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and therefore will save a lot of money.

Consumers who don't measure up to this ideal profile will be quoted higher rates and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save money. That's the way insurance companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional detailed information is located at the Missouri Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, report car insurance fraud, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on this site for auto insurance rates in Missouri and this list of insurance agents in Jackson, MO.

Shop smart and save

Affordable auto insurance can be sourced both online and with local Jackson insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.