Finding the Cheapest Laurel Auto Insurance

No one in their right mind looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much. Insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all promote huge savings with advertising and it can be hard to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

It's important to compare rates occasionally since insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the best deal on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. So just forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because it's time to teach you the only way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance is not cheap, but there could be available discounts that you may not know about. Some trigger automatically when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before being credited. If you aren't receiving every discount you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

Braking Control Discount - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Anti-theft Discount - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
Homeowners Savings - Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home requires personal responsibility.
Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment can save as much as 8% with certain companies.

It's important to note that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like it's possible to get free car insurance, you're out of luck. But any discount will reduce your premiums.

You have some control over your rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates enables informed choices that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

The following are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

How credit affects auto insurance rates - Your credit history is a important factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with lower credit scores.
More than one policy can earn a discount - Many auto insurance companies give discounts to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. Even with this discount, you still need to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal.
Being married can save on auto insurance - Being married can get you a discount on your auto insurance policy. Marriage means you're more mature and it's proven that married couples file fewer claims.
An active claims history can cost you - Insurance companies in Montana give cheaper rates to drivers who are claim-free. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone's situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if you would benefit from an agent's advice.

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?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
What are the best liability limits?
Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?

If it's difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can help protect your family.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Montana drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by Allstate and Progressive. All the ads make the same claim that you can save after switching to their company.

How can each company say the same thing?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that earns them a profit. An example of a preferred risk might be profiled as between 25 and 40, owns a home, and has great credit. A propective insured who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Consumers who do not match the requirements will be charged higher prices which leads to business not being written. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.

That is why drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It's not possible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

More information is available on the website for the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance located here. Montana drivers can find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, get help finding coverage, and download brochures.

In the end, you save

When you buy insurance online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Lower-priced auto insurance can be sourced on the web and also from your neighborhood Laurel agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.