How to Know You're Wasting Money for Auto Insurance in Marathon

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, you're not the only one.

There is such a variety of to pick from, and even though it's nice to be able to choose, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

Your occupation can affect rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Careers like judges, business owners and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates due to high stress and lengthy work days. Conversely, jobs such as actors, engineers and homemakers pay the least.
Add-on coverages can add up - There are many extra coverages that can waste your money on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for personal injury protection, accident forgiveness and membership fees may be costing you every month. These coverages may sound good initially, but your needs may have changed so eliminate them to save money.
Careful drivers pay lower rates - A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even one citation may increase your cost by twenty percent. Drivers with clean records get better rates than bad drivers. If you have serious violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
Where do you drive? - The more miles you rack up on your car in a year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on their usage. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Do you have enough liability coverage? - Liability insurance provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Always keep insurance in force - Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse is a fast way to bump up your auto insurance costs. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.You may need to file a SR-22 with the Wisconsin motor vehicle department.
Your car's features help determine rates - Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart car theft.

More discounts equal less premium

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts that you may not even be aware of. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be asked for prior to receiving the credit.

No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay much less when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Defensive Driver - Completing a course in driver safety could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
Discount for Good Grades - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
Life Insurance - Some companies give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Organization Discounts - Participating in a qualifying organization is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for auto insurance.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like it's possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will bring down your premiums.

To choose insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Wisconsin, click here to view.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. They all make an identical promise that you can save if you switch your policy. How does each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer could possibly be a mature driver, has no tickets, and has great credit. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential customers who do not match these standards will be quoted higher prices and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way insurance companies can advertise the savings.

This emphasizes why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

More information is located on the website for the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance found here. Wisconsin consumers can read industry bulletins, discover disciplinary actions, file complaints about a company, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Other informative sites include this online resource for auto insurance quotes in Wisconsin and this list of insurance agents in Marathon.

Shop smart and save

Affordable auto insurance is available online in addition to many Marathon insurance agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

You just read some good ideas how you can save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even discover the best price on auto insurance is with some of the smallest insurance companies. Some small companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as .