How to Know You're Paying Too Much for Auto Insurance in Perryville

No one likes paying for auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high.

Numerous battle for your insurance dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates to get the lowest rate

It's important to price shop coverage periodically because prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the best deal a year ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So just forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're going to get a crash course in the proper way to lower your annual insurance bill.

If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to save some money using these techniques. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Perryville is easy if you know what you're doing. But Missouri consumers do need to know how insurance companies price insurance differently and take advantage of how the system works.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

  • Type of vehicle determines base rates - The type of vehicle you drive makes a huge difference in your rates. Small economy passenger cars usually have the lowest rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
  • Cautious drivers pay less - Drivers with clean records have lower premiums compared to drivers with tickets. Even one ticket may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who get flagrant violations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Pleasure use saves money - Driving more miles each year the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
  • Don't get talked into coverage you don't need - There are a ton of additional coverages you can purchase when buying auto insurance. Coverages like personal injury protection, better glass coverage and membership fees may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but your needs may have changed so get rid of them and save.

Missouri auto insurance

How to Get Perryville Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

All major auto insurance companies such as State Farm and Allstate give coverage price quotes online. This process doesn't take a lot of time as you simply enter your personal and coverage information into the quote form. After the form is submitted, the system will obtain your driving record and credit report and generates a price based on these and other factors. Online price quotes makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the time required to go to many different websites and fill out multiple forms can be a bit tiresome and repetitive. Unfortunately, it is important to have as many quotes as possible in order to get a lower rate.

The easy way to compare rates

The preferred way to compare rates uses one form that analyzes rates from many companies. It's a real time-saver, requires less work, and makes comparison shopping much simpler. After your information is entered, your coverage is rated and you can select any of the resulting price quotes. If a lower price is quoted, you can simply submit the application and purchase coverage. This process only takes a few minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.

To find out how much you're overpaying now, click here and fill out the form. If you have a policy now, it's recommended you replicate just like they are on your policy. This makes sure you are getting a fair comparison for the exact same coverage.

More discounts equal less premium

Companies don't list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both the well known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.

  • Early Switch Discount - Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. It's a savings of about 10%.
  • Good Student - This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
  • Low Mileage - Fewer annual miles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Homeowners Savings - Being a homeowner can help you save on auto insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home requires personal responsibility.
  • Student Driver Training - Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver's ed class if it's offered in school.
  • Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
  • Seat Belts Save - Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
  • Save with a New Car - Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
  • Passive Restraint Discount - Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of more than 20%.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn't make money that way.

To choose providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Perryville, click here to view.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate continually stream ads in print and on television. All the ads make an identical promise that you'll save big after switching your policy. How do they all claim to save you money?

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a preferred risk might be over the age of 50, a clean driving record, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who do not match the "perfect" profile will be charged higher rates and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers that switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That is how companies can make those claims. That is why you need to compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which company will have the lowest rates.

It's not one size fits all

When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone's needs are different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you may require specific advice.

  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Should I buy only the required Missouri minimum liability coverage?
  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
  • Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
  • Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
  • Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.

More detailed Missouri auto insurance information is available at the Missouri Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to learn about specific coverages, file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and discover disciplinary actions.

Missouri auto insurance

Do the work, save more money

We covered many tips how you can compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the biggest savings come from a small local company. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower rates as compared to the big name companies such as .

While you're price shopping online, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many cases where someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to find out they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be purchased both online in addition to many Perryville insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies do not provide online price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.