Lexington Auto Insurance For Less Than You're Paying Now

If online auto insurance comparisons are new to you, it's easy to get confused by the vast number of auto insurance companies all offering big savings in Lexington.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. The purpose of this post is to introduce you to the most effective way to quote insurance. But Virginia consumers do need to know the methods companies use to price online insurance.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts that many people don't even know exist. Most are applied when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be asked about before you get the savings.

  • Multi-car Discount - Having more than one vehicle on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
  • Anti-lock Brake System - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Theft Prevention System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
  • Homeowners Savings - Owning a home in Lexington can help you save on auto insurance because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
  • Payment Discounts - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
  • Save with a New Car - Adding a new car to your policy is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents pay less when compared with drivers who are more careless.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
  • Student Driver Training - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver's education in school.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will cut your premiums.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that could result in big savings.

Listed below are some of the items that factor into premiums.

  • Lower deductibles cost more - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are willing to pay before a claim is paid by your company. Insurance for physical damage to your car, also known as collision and other-than-collision, insures against damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be colliding with a building, collision with an animal, or theft. The more expense the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.
  • Clean credit earns discounts - A driver's credit score is a large factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit score is lower than you'd like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by repairing your credit. Consumers who have excellent credit tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with poor credit.
  • One company can mean more discounts - Most insurers will award you with lower prices to insureds who buy several policies from them. It's known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even though this discount sounds good, you may still want to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • Liability coverage is peace of mind - Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you if you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different.

Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you could use an agent's help.

  • Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
  • 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?
  • Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
  • Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, take a second and complete this form.

The auto insurance bait and switch

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the companies make an identical promise that you'll save big if you switch your policy. How do they all claim to save you money?

All the different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a profitable customer might be over the age of 40, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.

Drivers who don't measure up to the "perfect" profile must pay a higher premium and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say "people who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That is how companies can advertise the way they do.

This illustrates why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

For more Virginia car insurance information

Much more information about auto insurance in Virginia can be read on the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website through this link. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, find out industry alerts, and read consumer alerts.

Lexington auto insurance quote

Affordable insurance is out there

Discount auto insurance can be found both online in addition to many Lexington insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut collision coverage and discovered at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your focus should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.

People switch companies for many reasons like lack of trust in their agent, policy cancellation, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is less work than it seems.