How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Kelso

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say you're not the only one.

With so many different company options, it's nearly impossible to locate the most affordable insurance company.

It's important to price shop coverage every six months since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest price last year you will most likely find a better rate today. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding auto insurance online, so I'm going to show you some great ways to put money back in your pocket.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but a few must be asked for before you get the savings.

  • Life Insurance - Some companies give a break if you buy life insurance from them.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Buying insurance for multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Bundle and Save - If you have multiple policies with one company you may save 10% to 20% off each policy.
  • No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay much less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Homeowners Discount - Owning a house in Kelso can help you save on auto insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.

It's important to note that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you're out of luck. But any discount will help reduce the amount you have to pay.

Washington auto insurance quotes

Save $429 a year? Really?

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save after switching your policy. But how can every company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A propective insured who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Drivers who don't qualify for this ideal profile will have to pay a higher premium and ends up with business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way insurance companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, you should get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

More information is located on the website for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner found here. Washington drivers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, report car insurance fraud, view agent and company licensing information, and read consumer alerts.

Also read more on Auto Insurance 101 and this page where you can research Kelso insurance agents.

Final considerations

As you prepare to switch companies, do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, someone sacrificed collision coverage and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price.

Lower-priced auto insurance can be purchased on the web in addition to many Kelso insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.