How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Kingston

Expensive auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your checking account and put a big crunch on your finances. Shopping your coverage around is a great way to lower your monthly bill. Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with catchy ads and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Cost in Kingston, Oklahoma

There are multiple methods to compare auto insurance quotes, but one way is more efficient than others. You could spend your day talking about coverages with insurance agencies in Kingston, or you could use online quoting to get rates in a matter of minutes.

All the larger companies enroll in a system that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and at least one company returns a rated price based on that information. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here (opens in new window).

The one disadvantage to using this type of system is you are unable to specify which companies you want pricing from. So if you want to choose from a list of companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of companies who write auto insurance in Oklahoma. Click to view list.

However you get your quotes, ensure you are comparing exactly the same coverage information on every quote. If the quotes have unequal deductibles or liability limits then you won't be able to make a fair comparison in Kingston.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

It's important that you understand the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Liability insurance protects assets - Liability coverage is the protection if a jury decides you are liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
  • Being married is a good thing - Getting married can get you a discount on auto insurance. Having a spouse means you're more mature and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Men pay higher rates - Statistics have proven women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes cause accidents at a similar rate, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. Men also tend to get more serious tickets like reckless driving and DUI. Young males are the most expensive to insure and thus pay the highest rates.
  • Claim-free discounts can add up - Auto insurance companies in Oklahoma generally give cheaper rates to drivers who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Car features impact rates - Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping auto theft.
  • Discounts for multiple policies - Many insurance companies will award you with lower prices to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to 10 percent or more. Even with this discount, it's still a good idea to shop around to ensure the best deal.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don't list all available discounts in a way that's easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren't receiving every discount you deserve, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • Multiple Vehicles - Having multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Paperless Signup - A few companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application digitally online.
  • Senior Discount - Older drivers may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Require your teen driver to enroll in driver's education if it's offered in school.
  • Payment Method - By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.

It's important to note that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you're out of luck.

For a list of insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Kingston, click here.

Additional detailed information can be read at the Oklahoma Insurance Department website. Oklahoma drivers can find out which companies have the most complaints, get help finding coverage, learn about insurance regulations, and download brochures.

Best coverage at the best price

Lower-priced auto insurance can be bought on the web and also from your neighborhood Kingston agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance providers may not provide online quoting and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, it's not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. In too many instances, drivers have reduced collision coverage and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your focus should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.