How to Find the Cheapest Smithville Auto Insurance

Shopping online for Smithville auto insurance might seem complicated at first if you have never used online rate quotes. But relax because it's actually quite easy.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.

Small claims can cost you - Companies in Ohio award cheaper rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
Traffic citations inflate rates - Even one moving violation may increase your cost by twenty percent. Drivers with clean records get better rates than bad drivers. If you have serious violations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
How many coverages with the same company - Most insurers provide better rates to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, it's still a good idea to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
Your job and insurance rates - Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like lawyers, business owners and dentists are shown to have the highest average rates due to high stress and long work hours. Other jobs such as scientists, historians and homemakers pay the least.

Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Smithville, OH

All major auto insurance companies allow you to get coverage price quotes directly from their websites. Getting online quotes doesn't take a lot of time as you simply type in your personal and coverage information into the quote form. After the form is submitted, their system will obtain your credit score and driving record and gives you a price quote.

Online quotes makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the process of having to visit multiple sites and fill out multiple forms can get tiresome after awhile. Unfortunately, it is important to compare as many rates as possible in order to find a lower rate.

There is a better way!

The preferred way to compare rates requires only one form to obtain quotes from multiple companies. It's a real time-saver, reduces the work, and makes price shopping online much easier to do. After your information is entered, it is rated and you can choose your choice of the resulting price quotes. If you find a better price you can click and sign and purchase coverage. The entire process takes 15 minutes at the most and could lower your rates considerably.

To quickly find out how much you're overpaying now, click here and submit the form. If you currently have coverage, we recommend that you enter the insurance coverages exactly as shown on your declarations page. This makes sure you will get a rate comparison for the exact same coverage.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance companies don't necessarily list every discount in a way that's easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the best known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

Federal Employees - Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with a few auto insurance companies.
Early Signing - Some companies give discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
Multiple Policy Discount - If you insure your home and vehicles with the same insurance company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
No Claims - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially when compared to accident-prone drivers.
Drivers Ed for Students - Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver's ed class in school.

It's important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you're out of luck.

To choose insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Smithville, click here to view.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. They all make an identical promise that you can save if you switch your policy. How can each company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer might be profiled as between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and has excellent credit. A propective insured who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who do not match the requirements will be quoted higher prices and ends up with business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can make those claims. This emphasizes why you need to get as many comparisons as possible. It's not possible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

It's not one size fits all

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you will benefit from professional help.

Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?

If you're not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.

Additional detailed information can be found at the Ohio Department of Insurance website. Ohio drivers can download brochures, file complaints about a company, and read consumer alerts.

Affordable insurance is out there

People switch companies for a variety of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, high prices, policy non-renewal or even high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn't matter why you want to switch finding a new auto insurance company is easier than you think.

In this article, we covered some good ideas how you can compare auto insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from some of the smallest insurance companies.

While you're price shopping online, it's a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later they didn't purchase enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price while still protecting your assets.