Proven Ways to Save on Lamar Car Insurance

Nobody looks forward to paying for car insurance, particularly when their premiums are through the roof.

Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive continually bombard you with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to sift through the bull and find the best price available.

It's important to get comparison quotes occasionally due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest rates a year ago you may be paying too much now. Starting right now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because I'm going to teach you the tricks you need to know to save on car insurance.

If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this strategy. Finding the best rates in Lamar is easy if you know what you're doing. But Missouri consumers do need to know how the larger insurance companies sell online and use this information to your advantage.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Lamar, MO

Most major insurance companies give insurance quotes directly from their websites. Obtaining pricing doesn't take much effort as you simply enter your coverage preferences as detailed in the form. Behind the scenes, the system will obtain your credit score and driving record and returns pricing information based on many factors. Online quotes makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the time it takes to visit multiple sites and fill out multiple forms can get tiresome after awhile. But it's very important to compare as many rates as possible in order to get better car insurance pricing.

The easy way to compare rates

A less time-consuming method to get multiple rate quotes makes use of a single form to return rates from multiple companies. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes price shopping online much more efficient. After your information is entered, your coverage is rated and you can select your choice of the returned quotes. If you find a better price you simply finish the application and purchase coverage. This process takes less than 15 minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.

In order to find out what other companies charge, click here to open in new window and submit your coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you duplicate coverages and limits just like they are on your policy. This way, you will get a rate comparison based on similar coverages.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

It's important that you understand some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that can help you get better car insurance rates.

Clean credit earns discounts - Your credit history is a big factor in determining your rates. If your credit score is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your credit score. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
How many coverages with the same company - Many companies give discounts to insureds who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
Marriage pays dividends - Having a spouse can get you a discount when buying car insurance. Marriage usually means you are more mature than a single person and statistics show married couples file fewer claims.
Your car's features help determine rates - Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent your car from being stolen.

These discounts can lower your rates

Car insurance companies don't list every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so we break down both the well known and also the lesser-known car insurance savings.

Anti-lock Brake Discount - Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can reduce accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Anti-theft System - Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Homeowners Savings - Being a homeowner may trigger a car insurance policy discount due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
Senior Citizens - Older drivers may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
Use Seat Belts - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially compared to frequent claim filers.
Accident Forgiveness - A handful of insurance companies allow you one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
Early Switch Discount - Some companies give discounts for buying a policy before your current policy expires. It's a savings of about 10%.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn't make money that way.

For a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in Lamar, follow this link.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions might point out whether you will benefit from professional help.

Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.

More detailed Missouri car insurance information can be found at the Missouri Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, get help finding coverage, and view a list of available companies.

Shop smart and save

While you're price shopping online, it's not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret they didn't purchase enough coverage. The aim is to get the best coverage possible at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Budget-conscious car insurance can be sourced both online in addition to many Lamar insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies do not provide online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.