10 Best Ways to Slash Car Insurance Costs in Rochester

Scraping up a payment for overpriced car insurance can overdraw your checking account and put the squeeze on your family's finances. Doing a price comparison is a smart way to lower your monthly bill. Drivers have multiple to pick from, and although it's a good thing to be able to choose, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

The purpose of this article is to teach you how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. If you currently have car insurance, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using this information. Washington vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to compare company rates on the web.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied when you get a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before you will receive the discount. If you're not getting every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Discount for Life Insurance - Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
Multiple Cars - Buying insurance for all your vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
Accident Waiver - Certain companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.
No Accidents - Drivers who don't have accidents can earn big discounts when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Safety Course Discount - Taking a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
Passive Restraints - Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts of more than 20%.
Distant Student - Children who live away from home and don't have a car can receive lower rates.
Anti-theft System - Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Own a Home - Simply owning a home may trigger a car insurance policy discount because maintaining a house requires personal responsibility.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

To choose insurance companies with discount car insurance rates in Washington, follow this link.

Is there truth in advertising?

Consumers in Washington can't ignore all the ads for car insurance savings by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all say the same thing that you'll save big if you change to their company.

How does each company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and has great credit. Any new insured who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

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

This emphasizes why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It's just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a "best" method to buy coverage. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions can help discover whether or not you might need an agent's assistance.

Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Washington?
Does my policy cover me when driving someone else's vehicle?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?

If you don't know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Much more information about car insurance in Washington is available on the website for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner found here. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, report car insurance fraud, and view agent and company licensing information.

Other informative sites include this page for car insurance prices in Washington and this list of insurance agents in Rochester, WA.

Best coverage at the best price

When you buy insurance online, make sure you don't buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Discount car insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Rochester agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.