How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Lewisville

No one looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are through the roof.

Companies like GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with ad campaigns and it is challenging if not impossible to sift through the bull and do the work needed to find the best deal.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Finding affordable coverage in Lewisville is easy if you know what you're doing. But North Carolina vehicle owners do need to know how big insurance companies sell insurance online and use this information to your advantage.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we break down some of the best known and the more hidden auto insurance savings.

  • Federal Employees - Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Early Signing - A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
  • Air Bag Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
  • No Accidents - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially when compared to bad drivers.
  • Payment Discounts - If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
  • Homeowners Savings - Simply owning a home may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because owning a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Have your child successfully complete driver's ed class in school.
  • Paperwork-free - A few companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up digitally online.
  • Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - When you combine your home and auto insurance with one company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To see a list of insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Lewisville, follow this link.

Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Lewisville, NC

The are a couple different ways of comparing rate quotes from different Lewisville insurance companies. The best method to find the cheapest insurance rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This can be done in a couple of different ways.

  • The best way to compare a lot of rates at once is a comparison rater form like this one (opens in new window). This method prevents you from having to do multiple quote forms for each company you want a rate for. Just one form will return quotes from multiple low-cost companies.
  • A less efficient way to shop for auto insurance online is to take the time to go to the website of each company to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, we'll pretend you want to compare , and . To get each rate you have to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

    For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Lewisville, click here.
  • The least efficient method to compare rates is to spend time driving to and from local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you prefer the personal advice that only a license agent can provide. You can, however, obtain prices from the web but buy from a local insurance agent and we'll touch on that later.

Whichever way you use, be sure to compare exactly the same coverages and limits on every quote you get. If you use different deductibles it will be impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Lewisville. Just a small difference in insurance coverages may cause a big price difference. Keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes will improve the odds of getting a lower rate.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that go into determining auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Keep rates low by being claim-free - Companies in North Carolina provide cheaper rates to people who are claim-free. If you file claims often, you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
  • Performance level impacts rates - The type of car you are buying insurance for makes a significant difference in determining your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars receive the most favorable rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
  • Poor credit can mean higher rates - Having a bad credit score is a large factor in determining your rates. If your credit is lower than you'd like, you could pay less to insure your by improving your credit score. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with poor credit.
  • Your occupation can affect rates - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like lawyers, architects and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to stressful work requirements and long work days. Other occupations like scientists, historians and homemakers receive lower rates.

Insurance agents can help

When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
  • What can I do if my company won't pay a claim?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Save $429 a year? Really?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing that you'll save big if you switch to their company. How can each company say the same thing?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don't qualify for the requirements will be quoted a higher premium which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads state "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. That is how companies can state the savings. This emphasizes why drivers must get a wide range of price quotes. It's not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Affordable insurance is out there

In this article, we covered many ways to compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the best prices are with an unexpected company. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like .

Budget-conscious auto insurance is available on the web and also from your neighborhood Lewisville agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

North Carolina auto insurance

Additional North Carolina consumer information

More detailed North Carolina auto insurance information can be found at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. North Carolina drivers can download brochures, learn about specific coverages, find out industry alerts, and read industry bulletins.