Proven Techniques to Save on Niagara Falls Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can empty your bank account and put the squeeze on your family's finances. Comparison shopping is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to help make ends meet. Big companies like GEICO and Progressive constantly blast consumers with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

If you have a policy now or are looking for a new policy, you can learn to find better prices while maintaining coverages. Finding affordable coverage in Niagara Falls is not that difficult. New York consumers only need to know the most effective way to compare company rates on the web.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Car insurance companies don't always advertise every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using. If you aren't receiving every discount you deserve, you are throwing money away.

  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Paperwork-free - Certain companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy digitally online.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Being a member of a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for auto insurance.
  • No Accidents - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Accident Waiver - A handful of insurance companies will forgive one accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
  • Multiple Policy Discount - If you have multiple policies with one company you could get a discount of up to 20% off your total premium.
  • Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only cut individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, you won't be that lucky.

compare Niagara Falls auto insurance rates

You have some control over your rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates - Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping car theft.
  • Pay less if you're married - Having a spouse helps lower the price on your policy. Having a significant other means you're more responsible and it's proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Don't skimp on liability - Your policy's liability coverage is the protection when you are found liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. It provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.
  • Do you work long hours in a high stress job? - Careers like lawyers, business owners and dentists tend to have the highest average rates because of high stress levels and lengthy work days. Other occupations like pilots, historians and retirees receive lower rates.
  • Where you reside plays a part - Residing in a rural area can save you money when talking about auto insurance. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents. City drivers have traffic congestion and longer commute times. More time commuting means higher likelihood of an accident.
  • High deductibles save money - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, or theft. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.

Is there truth in advertising?

Consumers in New York get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise about savings if you change to their company.

How can each company claim to save you money?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might be a mature driver, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don't measure up to the requirements will be quoted a more expensive rate and ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Even more information can be found at the New York Department of Financial Services website. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, find out which companies have the most complaints, and read industry bulletins.

In the end, you save

The cheapest auto insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Niagara Falls agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.