Compare Springfield Car Insurance Prices With These Methods

Are you intimidated by the crazy number of car insurance choices in Springfield? Many other drivers are as well. Consumers have so many choices that it can turn into a big hassle to find the lowest price.

Save big with these discounts

Companies don't always list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find some of the more common and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If they aren't giving you every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
  • Multiple Vehicles - Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • 55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get better car insurance rates.
  • Homeowners Discount - Simply owning a home can help you save on car insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Discount for Good Grades - Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
  • Distant Student - Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, car insurance companies aren't that generous.

compare Springfield car insurance rates

Springfield Rates are Influenced by These Factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine your car insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The following are a few of the "ingredients" car insurance companies consider when setting prices.

  • Lower rates with optional equipment - Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart car theft.
  • Do you know your deductibles? - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your car insurance will be.
  • Older drivers pay less - Older insureds are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations. Young drivers are known to be more careless when behind the wheel therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
  • How's your driving record? - A bad driving record impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Even one moving violation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. If you have flagrant violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
  • Big city or small town - Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas can save you money when it comes to car insurance. Lower population translates into fewer accidents. Drivers in populated Illinois areas have to deal with traffic congestion and longer commute times. More time on the road means more change of being in an accident.
  • Men pay higher rates - Statistics demonstrate that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Youthful male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and therefore are the most expensive to insure.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all make an identical promise about savings after switching to their company.

How do they all make the same claim? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer could be a mature driver, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A customer who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who fall outside the "perfect" profile will be quoted more money and ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say "drivers who switch" not "people who quote" save that much. That's the way companies can truthfully claim big savings. This emphasizes why drivers should compare many company's rates. Because you never know which car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Learn more about Illinois car insurance

Even more information can be found at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Consumers can view a list of available companies, report car insurance fraud, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

And the best car insurance company is...

People change insurance companies for any number of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, lack of trust in their agent, not issuing a premium refund and even poor customer service. Whatever your reason, switching car insurance companies is less work than it seems.

Cheap car insurance can be bought from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Springfield agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.