6 Tricks Shown to Save on Car Insurance Costs in Missoula

If you've never shopped for car insurance online, you can be overwhelmed by the sheer number of car insurance companies all offering big savings in Missoula.

Finding the cheapest car insurance coverage in Missoula is not that difficult. If you are insured now or need a new policy, you can learn to get lower rates while maintaining coverages. Montana consumers only need to know the proper methods to compare rates online.

Policy discounts you shouldn't miss

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but there are discounts available that can drop the cost substantially. A few discounts will automatically apply when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be specially asked for before they will apply. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

  • Military Rewards - Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
  • Federal Employees - Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with a few car insurance companies.
  • Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
  • Sign Early and Save - Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. It can save you around 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

compare Missoula car insurance rates

Insurance agents can help

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a "best" method to buy coverage. Everyone's needs are different.

For example, these questions may help highlight whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.

  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
  • When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?

If you can't answer these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can help protect your family.

Save $429 a year? Really?

Consumers in Montana get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all have a common claim about savings if you move to them.

How does each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies have a certain "appetite" for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might be between 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and chooses high deductibles. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Consumers who don't qualify for these standards will be quoted higher rates and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That is how companies can truthfully state the savings.

This emphasizes why drivers should compare many company's rates. It's just too difficult to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional Montana consumer information

Additional information can be found on the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website located here. Visitors are able to find disaster information, find out industry alerts, and download brochures.

Also read more on this page for car insurance prices in Montana and this page of Missoula insurance agents.

Montana car insurance

In the end, you save

Drivers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, poor customer service, high rates after DUI convictions and even delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.

We just covered a lot of ways to reduce car insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the best prices are with a small local company.

When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don't skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.