Top Ways to Save on Stanleytown Auto Insurance

I can't think of anyone who looks forward to buying auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof. You have so many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It's important to price shop coverage occasionally because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you found the lowest rates a couple years back you will most likely find a better rate today. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you're about to learn the tricks you need to know to lower your annual insurance bill.

More discounts equal less premium

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, buy you may qualify for discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be applied at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about in order for you to get them. If you're not getting every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

College Student - Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don't have a car may be able to be covered for less.
Anti-theft System - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Multiple Cars - Having all your vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Save over 55 - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a discount up to 10%.
Drive Less and Save - Low mileage vehicles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
Military Discounts - Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you won't be that lucky. Any amount of discount will bring down your premiums.

It's not one size fits all

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn't really a one size fits all plan. Every insured's situation is different so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if you might need an agent's assistance.

What are Virginia no-fault laws?
Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
Should I buy additional glass protection?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Virginia?

If you're not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It's fast, doesn't cost anything and may give you better protection.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Virginia consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings if you change your policy.

How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a certain "appetite" for the right customer that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A driver who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential insureds who do not match these standards will have to pay more money and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is "drivers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you should get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Additional information can be found on the website for the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. Click here for link. Virginia consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, and learn about insurance regulations.

In the end, you save

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it's very important that you do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price.

Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Stanleytown insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some auto insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.