Proven Techniques to Save on Rochester Auto Insurance

Expensive auto insurance can overdraw your bank account and force you to make sacrifices. Shopping your coverage around is a smart way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.

Drivers have multiple to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

How much can you save with discounts?

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts to help bring down the price. A few discounts will automatically apply when you get a quote, but some may not be applied and must be requested specifically before you will receive the discount.

  • Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Paperwork-free - A few companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
  • Safety Course Discount - Successfully completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
  • Distant Student - Children living away from home attending college and don't have a car can receive lower rates.
  • Senior Citizens - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive better auto insurance rates.

It's important to note that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you're out of luck. But any discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

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Rochester Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Theft deterrents lower rates - Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention devices such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
  • Marriage brings a discount - Getting married helps lower the price when buying auto insurance. Having a significant other means you're more mature and it's statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Add-on coverages can add up - There are quite a few add-on coverages that can waste your money when buying auto insurance. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are examples of these. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they're wasting money eliminate them to save money.
  • Older drivers pay less - Youthful drivers in Minnesota have a tendency to be careless and easily distracted when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Adding a teenage driver to your auto insurance policy can be very expensive. More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.
  • Men are more aggressive - Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn't mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes have accidents at a similar rate, but the men tend to have more serious accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving.
  • High deductibles save money - Your deductibles define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply would be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, or theft. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing that you can save if you change to their company. How does each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer might be between 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has a high credit rating. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Drivers who don't meet these standards will be quoted higher premiums which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "people who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much. This is how insurance companies can state the savings.

This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.

For more Minnesota auto insurance information

More information can be read on the website for the Minnesota Department of Commerce through this link. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, discover disciplinary actions, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Do the work, save more money

Lower-priced auto insurance is attainable both online and also from your neighborhood Rochester agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it's very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.