Tightwads Guide to Saving on Lathrop Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your checking account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to cut your insurance bill.

Having so many companies to choose from, it's nearly impossible to find the lowest cost provider.

It's important to take a look at other company's rates on a regular basis because prices are constantly changing. If you had the lowest price a year ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you're about to learn the fastest and easiest way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Shopping for affordable auto insurance coverage in Lathrop is easy if you know what you're doing. Basically, anyone who has to buy auto insurance should be able to reduce their rates. Nevertheless, Missouri consumers do need to know how insurance companies market on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.

Lathrop Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

  • Please use or commuting - The more you drive in a year's time the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage receive lower rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
  • High deductibles save money - Physical damage coverage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be collision with another vehicle, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. Your deductibles are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
  • An active claims history can cost you - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Car insurance companies in Missouri provide discounts to policyholders who are claim-free. Auto insurance is intended for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
  • How many coverages with the same company - The majority of companies will give a discount to insureds who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
  • Your spouse saves you money - Having a wife or husband actually saves money when buying auto insurance. It means you're more mature and responsible and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Teen drivers pay high rates - Youthful drivers in Missouri tend to be more careless when driving so auto insurance rates are higher. Parents adding a teen driver to your auto insurance policy can break the bank. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.

Missouri auto insurance quotes

Auto Insurance Prices in Lathrop, Missouri

There are several ways of comparing rates from local Lathrop auto insurance companies. One of the best ways to find competitive insurance rates consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

  1. The fastest way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This method prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company. One form submission gets you coverage quotes from multiple companies.
  2. A slightly less efficient method to compare rate quotes consists of going to the website for each individual company to complete their respective quote request forms. For instance, we'll pretend you want comparison quotes from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. To view a list of companies in Lathrop, click here.

It doesn't matter which method you choose, just ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples coverages on every quote you get. If you are comparing different limits and deductibles on each one you can't possibly determine which rate is truly the best in Lathrop. Just a small difference in coverage limits may cause a big price difference. Just remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes provides better odds of finding lower pricing.

Take advantage of discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you can get discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically when you quote, but less common discounts must be specifically requested before you get the savings.

  • Discount for Life Insurance - Larger companies have a break if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Own a Home - Owning a house in Lathrop may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because of the fact that having a home shows financial diligence.
  • Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
  • Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
  • Sign Online - Certain companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing online.
  • Senior Citizens - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for better auto insurance rates.
  • Organization Discounts - Being a member of a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.

It's important to understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like it's possible to get free car insurance, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Missouri, follow this link.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Auto insurance companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all seem to say the same thing of big savings if you move to their company. But how can every company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Drivers who don't qualify for this ideal profile will have to pay a higher premium which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims.

Because of the profiling, you need to get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.

Additional auto insurance information is located on the website for the Missouri Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, report car insurance fraud, download brochures, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include Wikipedia and this page where you can research Lathrop insurance agents.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

While you're price shopping online, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later they didn't purchase enough coverage. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price.

Low-cost auto insurance is definitely available both online and also from your neighborhood Lathrop agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection. Some companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.