Easy Ways to Save Money on Scappoose Auto Insurance

Shopping for the cheapest Scappoose auto insurance on the web can seem to be intimidating for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. Since there are so many companies in the marketplace, how can consumers effectively compare the different rates to find the best price?

It's important to get comparison quotes yearly because prices are constantly changing. Just because you found the best rates a few years ago a different company probably has better rates today. You'll find quite a bit of inaccurate information about auto insurance on the internet, so we're going to give you some great ways to find cheap auto insurance.

If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. The purpose of this article is to teach you the most effective way to quote insurance. Nevertheless, Oregon drivers do need to know the way companies sell online.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied before you will receive the discount.

Good Student Discount - Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
Auto/Life Discount - Larger companies have better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
Clubs and Organizations - Participating in a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings on your policy.
No Claims - Drivers who don't have accidents pay less compared to drivers who are more careless.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives - Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
Government Employees - Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.

It's important to understand that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, it doesn't quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your premiums.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

Shown below are some of the items that factor into your rates.

Careful drivers pay lower rates - Even a single ticket may increase your cost forty percent or more. Drivers with clean records get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
Where do you drive? - The higher the mileage driven in a year's time the higher your rates will be. The majority of insurers apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos that are left in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Verify your auto insurance declarations sheet is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle.
Protect yourself with liability coverage - Your policy's liability coverage is the protection in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides you with a defense in court up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability is cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
Do you work long hours in a high stress job? - Occupations like real estate brokers, executives and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates due to job stress and long work hours. Other jobs such as pilots, historians and retirees pay the least.
Don't let your coverage lapse - Driving your car without having proper coverage is a misdemeanor and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if you might need an agent's assistance.

Should I buy only the required Oregon minimum liability coverage?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
Do I qualify for additional discounts?
Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?

If it's difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you don't have a local agent, simply complete this short form.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Companies like State Farm and Allstate consistently run ads in print and on television. All the ads make the same claim of big savings if you change your policy. How can each company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a preferred risk could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will get very good rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who do not match the requirements will be charged more money which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do.

That is why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Additional auto insurance information can be read on the Oregon Insurance Division website found here. Oregon consumers can file complaints about a company, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Shop smart and save

You just read some good ideas how to reduce auto insurance prices online. It's most important to understand that the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies.

When shopping online for auto insurance, it's a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Scappoose insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.