Getting Cheap Pine River Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, many consumers are feeling buyer's remorse and feel like there's no way out.

Drivers have so many to buy insurance from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

This information will help educate you on the most effective way to quote insurance and some money-saving tips. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. Nevertheless, Minnesota car owners do need to know the way companies compete online.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

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

  • Your car insurance rates can be influenced by your job - Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like real estate brokers, architects and financial analysts have higher average rates attributed to job stress and long work days. Conversely, occupations such as actors, engineers and performers get better rates.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Your deductibles define the amount you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. A few examples of covered claims are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. The more expense you have to pay, the less your car insurance will be.
  • With age comes lower rates - Young drivers in Minnesota are known to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
  • How's your driving record? - A bad driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Drivers who don't get tickets receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Just one citation can bump up the cost forty percent or more. If you have flagrant violations such as DUI or reckless driving may find they need to submit a SR-22 form with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
  • Marriage brings a discount - Getting married can get you a discount when buying car insurance. Having a significant other translates into being more mature and responsible and it's statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
  • Protect yourself with liability coverage - Liability coverage provides coverage when you are found to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available to cut the cost considerably. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied before you get the savings.

  • Claim Free - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less when compared to accident-prone drivers.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Buying coverage for multiple vehicles with the same company could earn a price break for each car.
  • Distant Student - Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • New Car Discount - Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Discount for Good Grades - This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
  • Paperwork-free - A few companies will give a small break simply for signing over the internet.
  • Low Mileage Discounts - Fewer annual miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.

It's important to understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose insurance companies who offer car insurance discounts in Minnesota, follow this link.

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

Car insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on television and other media. They all say the same thing of big savings after switching your coverage to them. How does each company make the same claim?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has a short commute. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save when switching.

Drivers who are not a match for these standards will be quoted a higher premium which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "people who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much money. That's the way insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.

This emphasizes why you should get as many comparisons as possible. Because you never know which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about Minnesota car insurance

Additional car insurance information can be read on the website for the Minnesota Department of Commerce through this link. Consumers can read industry bulletins, report car insurance fraud, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about a company.

Final considerations

Low-cost car insurance can be bought from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Pine River, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers don't offer online price quotes and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, it's very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed full coverage and found out when filing a claim that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.