How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Oriental

Scraping up a payment for overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your savings account and make it impossible to make ends meet. Doing a price comparison is a smart way to tighten up your finances.

Consumers have many to buy insurance from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, it can be more difficult to compare rates.

This article will help educate you on how to get online quotes and some money-saving tips. If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. But North Carolina vehicle owners do need to know the way companies price insurance differently and use this information to your advantage.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine auto insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting prices.

Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like lawyers, architects and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates because of stressful work requirements and lengthy work days. Conversely, occupations like pilots, engineers and performers receive lower rates.
Marriage brings a discount - Having a spouse can get you a discount when buying auto insurance. Having a significant other means you're more mature than a single person and it's proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
Your location affects your rates - Residing in a rural area can save you money when buying auto insurance. City drivers regularly have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents.
Do men or women drive better? - Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Women and men have accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations like reckless driving and DUI. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Lower rates with optional equipment - Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
Proper usage rating affects rates - Driving more miles in a year's time the higher your rate. Most insurance companies price each vehicle's coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles left parked in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before you get the savings.

No Accidents - Drivers who don't have accidents can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Accident Waiver - Certain companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
Payment Method - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
New Vehicle Savings - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
Drivers Education - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
Driver Safety - Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with a few auto insurance companies.
Distant Student - Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn't make money that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in North Carolina, follow this link.

Is there truth in advertising?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing that you'll save big after switching to their company. How does each company say the same thing?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A propective insured who fits that profile will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Drivers who don't measure up to these standards will be quoted a higher premium which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads say "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. This is how companies can advertise the savings.

This emphasizes why you should get quotes from several different companies. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

For more North Carolina auto insurance information

Much more information about auto insurance in North Carolina can be found on the website for the North Carolina Department of Insurance located here. North Carolina drivers can read industry bulletins, get help finding coverage, view agent and company licensing information, and learn about insurance regulations.

Affordable insurance is out there

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be purchased on the web and also from your neighborhood Oriental agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, it's very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.