Free Guide to Paying Less for Kingston Auto Insurance Online

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, there are many Kingston consumers feeling the pinch from expensive auto insurance.

Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with ads and it is difficult to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Kingston is easy if you know what you're doing. But Michigan drivers do need to know the methods companies use to price online insurance and take advantage of how the system works.

How much can you save with discounts?

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there could be available discounts that many people don't even know exist. Most are applied at the time you complete a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about prior to getting the savings.

  • Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.
  • Multi-car Discount - Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • Theft Prevention System - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Payment Discounts - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
  • Use Seat Belts - Drivers who require all occupants to use their safety belts can save 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared with drivers who are more careless.
  • Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount depending on your company.
  • Service Members Pay Less - Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

You have some control over your rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that could result in big savings.

Listed below are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Don't sacrifice liability coverage - Liability insurance provides coverage if a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Your deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay before your auto insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply could be colliding with a building, collision with an animal, and burglary. The more money you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your auto insurance will be.
  • One company can mean more discounts - Most companies will award you with lower prices to customers who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, you may still want to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. You may still be able to find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
  • Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Choosing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart your car from being stolen.
  • The more you drive the more you pay - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is rated on how each vehicle is driven, because it can save money.
  • Never let your coverage lapse - Letting your insurance expire is a fast way to trigger a rate increase. Not only will rates go up, getting caught without coverage might get you a steep fine or even jail time.

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

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the companies say the same thing that you'll save big if you switch to their company. How can each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't meet the requirements must pay a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That's the way companies can advertise the way they do.

This illustrates why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Learn more about Michigan auto insurance

Much more information about auto insurance in Michigan is available on the website for the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation through this link. Michigan consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, report car insurance fraud, read consumer alerts, and view a list of available companies.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be found online and also from your neighborhood Kingston agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.