Compare Oak Harbor Auto Insurance Prices With These Tricks

Are you intimidated by the number of auto insurance choices in Oak Harbor? You have a lot of company. Drivers have so many choices that it can turn into more work than you anticipated to locate the lowest price.

Save big with these discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don't always list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both well-publicized and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Claim Free - Drivers with accident-free driving histories can earn big discounts when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
  • Paperwork-free - A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy on their website.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky.

Tips to Get Lower Oak Harbor Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The following are some of the factors used by your company to calculate prices.

  • Occupation reflects on rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Careers like doctors, business owners and accountants have higher rates than average due to high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, professions such as actors, athletes and performers get better rates.
  • Liability coverage is cheap - Liability coverage provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It will provide legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.
  • Pay less if you're married - Being married can get you a discount on your policy. Having a significant other translates into being more responsible and statistics show being married results in fewer claims.
  • Safer cars cost less to insure - Vehicles with good safety scores can get you lower premiums. The safest vehicles protect occupants better and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage coverage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims could be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and burglary. The more money you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
  • High numbers of claims are not good - Companies in Washington award better rates to insureds who do not file claims often. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is designed for the large, substantial claims.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all make an identical promise about savings after switching your coverage to them. How do they all make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that earns them a profit. An example of a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A driver who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential customers who fall outside the "perfect" profile will be quoted a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much money. That's the way companies can truthfully claim big savings. This emphasizes why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about Washington auto insurance

Even more information is available at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Washington consumers can read industry bulletins, find out which companies have the most complaints, and get help finding coverage.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

People change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, lack of trust in their agent, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even delays in responding to claim requests. Whatever your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is less work than it seems.

Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced online as well as from independent agents in Oak Harbor, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.