Proven Ways to Save on Ruston Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, there are a lot of people in Ruston just like you who feel imprisoned by their auto insurance policy.

Drivers have multiple to buy insurance from, and although it's a good thing to have multiple companies, it can be more challenging to compare rates.

It's important to compare prices every six months because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the best rates last year a different company probably has better rates today. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance on the internet, so we're going to give you some great ways to find cheap auto insurance.

Finding the best rates in Ruston is easy if you know what you're doing. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. But Washington drivers do need to know the methods companies use to sell insurance online.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Car insurance companies don't list every available discount very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance.

Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last until age 25.
Homeowners Discount - Being a homeowner may earn you a small savings because owning a home demonstrates responsibility.
E-sign - A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
Payment Discounts - If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Drivers who require all occupants to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
No Accidents - Drivers with accident-free driving histories pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
Drivers Education - Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver's ed class in school.
Low Mileage - Driving fewer miles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
No Charge for an Accident - Certain companies will allow you to have one accident before your rates go up if you are claim-free for a set time period.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are some of the items auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

Traffic violations increase rates - Your driving record has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Even a single ticket can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
Do you know your deductibles? - Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply could be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, and rolling your vehicle. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your auto insurance will be.
Discounts for married couples - Getting married can actually save you money on your auto insurance policy. Marriage means you're more mature than a single person it has been statistically shown that being married results in fewer claims.
Special features that cut premiums - Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
Don't let your coverage lapse - Letting your insurance expire is a fast way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may have to file a SR-22 with the Washington motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
Your occupation can affect rates - Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations like real estate brokers, executives and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates in part from stressful work requirements and long work days. Conversely, occupations such as actors, engineers and homemakers receive lower rates.

How can State Farm and Allstate save drivers who switch?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. All the ads make the same claim that you'll save big if you switch to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk could possibly be over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and has great credit. A driver who matches those parameters will get very good rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will be charged a higher premium which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "drivers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. That's the way companies can advertise the savings. That is why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about Washington auto insurance

More detailed Washington auto insurance information can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Washington consumers can file complaints about a company, report car insurance fraud, get help finding coverage, and view a list of available companies.

Affordable insurance is out there

In this article, we presented some good ideas how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better chance you'll have of finding lower rates. You may even find the lowest premiums are with a lesser-known regional company. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than the large multi-state companies such as .

Discount auto insurance is available online and also from your neighborhood Ruston agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.