Proven Techniques to Save on Oxford Auto Insurance

Overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your personal savings and make it impossible to make ends meet. Shopping your coverage around is free and is an excellent way to make sure you're not throwing money away. Companies like State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and Progressive all claim big savings with fancy advertisements and consumers find it hard to sift through the bull and take the time to shop coverage around.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Companies don't always list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the best known and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If you aren't receiving every discount you deserve, you are throwing money away.

  • Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.
  • Auto/Life Discount - Some companies give better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
  • New Vehicle Savings - Insuring a new car is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Drivers Ed for Students - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
  • Distant Student - Any of your kids 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.

Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it just doesn't work that way.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to big savings.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" that factor into prices.

  • High numbers of claims are not good - Companies in Nebraska give cheaper rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
  • Where you live - Residing in less populated areas can save you money when buying auto insurance. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents. City drivers tend to have traffic congestion and longer commutes to work. Longer commute distances can result in more accidents.
  • The more you drive the more you pay - Driving more miles in a year's time the higher your rate. The majority of insurers price each vehicle's coverage based on their usage. Autos not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage.
  • Do you have a high stress job? - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like lawyers, executives and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and lots of time spent at work. Other occupations such as pilots, historians and performers pay the least.
  • Higher deductibles cost less - Physical damage deductibles define the amount you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive.

Tailor your coverage to you

When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions can help discover whether you would benefit from professional advice.

  • Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
  • When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
  • Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?

If it's difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It's fast, doesn't cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

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

Nebraska drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all make the same claim that you can save after switching your policy.

How can each company say the same thing?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as a mature driver, has no prior claims, and has great credit. A propective insured who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Drivers who are not a match for the requirements will be quoted higher premiums which leads to business not being written. The ad wording is "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why drivers should compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about auto insurance in Nebraska

Additional detailed information can be found at the Nebraska Department of Insurance website. Nebraska drivers can download brochures, view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read industry bulletins.

Nebraska auto insurance quotes

A tidy conclusion

When you buy insurance online, it's not a good idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Affordable auto insurance can be purchased on the web in addition to many Oxford insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.