Tightwads Tips for Saving on Stanford Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say many Stanford consumers feel financially strained by their auto insurance policy.

You have multiple to pick from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, having more makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to do rate comparisons at least once a year since insurance rates are constantly changing. Even if you think you had the lowest rates a few years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because it's time to teach you the tricks you need to know to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

The purpose of this post is to tell you how to get online quotes. If you are paying for car insurance now, you should be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Although Montana vehicle owners do need to know the way insurance companies market insurance on the web and use this information to your advantage.

Be sure to get all your discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied prior to getting the savings.

  • Senior Discount - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive reduced rates.
  • Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
  • Safety Course Discount - Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
  • New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
  • Theft Prevention System - Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Affiliation with a qualifying organization could trigger savings on auto insurance.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.

Stanford auto insurance comparison

Is there truth in advertising?

Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you change to them. How does each company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as a mature driver, has no tickets, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A propective insured who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don't measure up to these standards will have to pay a higher premium which leads to business not being written. The ads state "drivers who switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. That's the way companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should get as many quotes as possible. It's not possible to predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Find out more about auto insurance

Additional information can be found on the website for the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance. Click here for link. Montana drivers can learn about insurance regulations, find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Also read more on this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of insurance agents in Stanford.

auto insurance in Stanford

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

When shopping online for auto insurance, make sure you don't buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price.

The cheapest auto insurance is attainable on the web and with local Stanford insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.