Kerkhoven Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

Cutting costs on Kerkhoven auto insurance is hard for consumers new to buying insurance online. Drivers have so many companies to choose from that it can be a challenge to find lower rates in Kerkhoven.

It's important to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews because prices are constantly changing. If you had the best price last year a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to one of the easiest ways to get good coverage at a lower rate.

How much can you save with discounts?

Companies offering auto insurance don't necessarily list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known auto insurance savings.

  • Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags can get savings up to 30%.
  • Accident Free - Claim-free drivers can save substantially compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Pay Upfront and Save - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
  • More Vehicles More Savings - Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • One Accident Forgiven - A few companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up if you are claim-free for a set time period.

It's important to note that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you're out of luck.

Minnesota auto insurance

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine your rates.

  • Better credit means lower rates - Your credit rating is a important factor in your rate calculation. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with lower credit scores. If your credit score can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by repairing your credit.
  • Rates may be lower depending on your job - Occupations like lawyers, architects and accountants tend to pay higher rates than average because of high stress and long work days. On the flip side, occupations like farmers, athletes and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices such as GM's OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder your car from being stolen.
  • Liability insurance protects assets - The liability section of your policy will protect you in the event that you are found liable for damages from an accident. It provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Sex matters - The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don't assume that women are better drivers. Both sexes have accidents in similar percentages, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving.
  • Claim-free discounts can add up - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance companies in Minnesota provide better rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. Your insurance policy is intended for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts - The majority of companies give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even with this discount, you still need to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal. Consumers may find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Add-on coverages can add up - There are a lot of extra bells and whistles you can purchase when buying auto insurance. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and motor club memberships are examples of these. These coverages may sound good when you first buy your policy, but if you don't need them get rid of them and save.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the ads say the same thing that you can save if you move to them. How do they all claim to save you money?

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a preferred risk might be between 25 and 40, is a homeowner, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who don't meet the "perfect" profile will be charged a higher premium which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's why insurance companies can advertise the savings. That is why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know the company that will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more today

Additional detailed information can be found at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, read industry bulletins, and view a list of available companies.

Shop smart and save

We covered a lot of tips how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even discover the most savings is with a small local company.

Consumers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as poor customer service, high rates after DUI convictions, extreme rates for teen drivers and even lack of trust in their agent. It doesn't matter what your reason, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.

Lower-priced auto insurance is possible both online and with local Kerkhoven insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.