Easy Ways to Pay Less on Montpelier Car Insurance

If shopping for car insurance online is new to you, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of car insurance companies offering coverage in Montpelier.

It's important to compare prices periodically due to the fact that insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you got the best price a few years ago you can probably find a better price now. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because we're going to demonstrate the tricks you need to know to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Finding the best rates in Montpelier is not that difficult. If you have a current car insurance policy or need a new policy, you will benefit by learning to find better prices while maintaining coverages. Virginia consumers only need to know the most effective way to buy car insurance over the internet.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with lower car insurance prices.

With age comes lower rates - Youthful drivers in Virginia are known to be more careless behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. If you've ever had to add a youthful driver to your car insurance policy can break the bank. Older drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and get fewer tickets.
Bad driving skills means higher rates - Careful drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Drivers who have flagrant citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
Where you reside plays a part - Living in a rural area can be a good thing when talking about car insurance. Urban drivers regularly have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents.
Having a spouse can save you money - Having a spouse can get you a discount on car insurance. It means you're more responsible and statistics show married couples file fewer claims.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find both the well known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Save with a New Car - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
Good Student - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Life Insurance Discount - Companies who offer life insurance give a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
College Student - Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
Bundle and Save - If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
Passive Restraints - Factory air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts of 20% or more.
Driver Safety - Completing a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don't apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, you won't be that lucky.

To choose companies who offer car insurance discounts in Virginia, click here.

How can Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm save drivers who switch?

Consumers in Virginia can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance by Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to have a common claim about savings after switching to their company.

How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a desirable insured might be a mature driver, a clean driving record, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any driver that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential insureds who are not a match for these standards will have to pay more money and this can result in the customer not buying. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. Because of the profiling, you should compare many company's rates. You cannot predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Tailor your coverage to you

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's.

For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you would benefit from professional advice.

Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
Should I buy only the required Virginia minimum liability coverage?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Montpelier?
What are the best liability limits?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?

If you can't answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Even more information can be found at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, file complaints about a company, and view agent and company licensing information.

Other informative sites include Auto Insurance 101 and this page where you can research Montpelier insurance agents.

And the best car insurance company is...

When shopping online for car insurance, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.

We just presented a lot of ways to save on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the best price on car insurance is with a small mutual company.

The cheapest car insurance can be purchased both online and also from your neighborhood Montpelier agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some car insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.