Getting the Cheapest New Hartford Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you're not the only one. Big-name insurance companies like GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

It's important to get comparison quotes at least once a year because rates are constantly changing. If you had the best rates a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. You'll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about car insurance on the internet, so we're going to give you some great ways to find cheap car insurance.

If you are insured now or are looking for a new policy, you can learn to shop for the lowest rates and still get good coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you in New Hartford is easy if you know what you're doing. New York vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to shop their coverage around online.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance companies don't list every available discount in a way that's easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the more common and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using. If you aren't receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.

Theft Prevention System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Military Discounts - Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.
Seat Belts Save - Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles with factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in high school.
No Claims - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner can help you save on car insurance because of the fact that having a home demonstrates responsibility.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don't profit that way.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that come into play when calculating your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that can help you get big savings.

The list below includes some of the items that factor into your rates.

One company can mean more discounts - The majority of insurers give discounts to policyholders who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even though this discount sounds good, it's still a good idea to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Consumers may find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
Safe vehicles cost less to insure - Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and fewer injuries means lower claim amounts and more competitive rates for policyholders.
No coverage gaps is important - Driving your car without having proper coverage is illegal and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you a revoked license or a big fine.
More claims means more premium - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Insurance companies in New York award cheaper rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Insurance coverage is meant to be used in the event of the large, substantial claims.
Clean credit earns discounts - Your credit rating is a big factor in calculating your car insurance rates. Consumers who have high credit ratings tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with lower credit ratings. Therefore, if your credit rating can use some improvement, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score.
How's your driving record? - Your driving record has a huge affect on how much you pay. Drivers with clean records get better rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one ticket may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers who get severe violations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Occupations like real estate brokers, business owners and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates due to stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Other jobs such as actors, historians and the unemployed pay the least.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from companies such as Allstate and Progressive. All the ads make an identical promise that you'll save big if you move your policy.

How can each company make the same claim? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Consumers who do not match the requirements will be charged higher rates and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can advertise the way they do. That is why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. Because you never know which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Find out more about car insurance

More detailed New York car insurance information can be read at the New York Department of Financial Services website. Consumers can read consumer alerts, find disaster information, find a variety of consumer forms, and download brochures.

In the end, you save

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, an insured dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that the savings was not a smart move. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Discount car insurance is definitely available from both online companies in addition to many New Hartford insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some car insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.