Tightwads Guide to Saving on Mechanicsville Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Believe me, many consumers are feeling buyer's remorse and feel like there's no way out. With so many choices, it can be hard to locate the lowest cost car insurance company.

It's important to price shop coverage at least once a year because rates are constantly changing. If you had the best deal on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you're going to learn the only way to lower your annual insurance bill.

Buying affordable car insurance coverage in Mechanicsville is simple if you know the tricks. If you are insured now or are shopping for new coverage, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and still get good coverage. Virginia vehicle owners just need to know the tricks to get comparison rates online.

Save big with these discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before they will apply. If you don't get every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

Air Bag Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of more than 20%.
Military Discounts - Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.
Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
Sign Early and Save - A few companies offer discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. It can save you around 10%.
Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Driver's Ed - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in high school.
Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts up to age 25.
Anti-lock Brakes - Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
Clubs and Organizations - Belonging to a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on your policy.
Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner can save you money because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.

Drivers should understand that some credits don't apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from companies such as State Farm and Allstate. All the ads have a common claim that you'll save big if you move your policy.

But how can every company make the same claim?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of a preferred risk could be over the age of 50, has no tickets, and has great credit. A customer that hits that "sweet spot" will get very good rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Consumers who fall outside this ideal profile will be charged higher rates and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads say "people who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can advertise the savings.

That is why you should get as many quotes as possible. Because you never know which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Find out more about car insurance

Much more information about car insurance in Virginia is available on the website for the Virginia Bureau of Insurance through this link. Consumers can file complaints about a company, find disaster information, download brochures, and learn about specific coverages.

Also read more on NAIC.org's Understanding your Policy and this directory of Mechanicsville insurance agents.

Best coverage at the best price

We just showed you a lot of ways to reduce car insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from a company that doesn't do a lot of advertising. Regional companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates than their larger competitors like .

Budget-conscious car insurance is definitely available from both online companies in addition to many Mechanicsville insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.