Tightwads Guide to Saving on Star Auto Insurance

No one in their right mind enjoys paying for auto insurance, especially knowing the cost is way too high. With consumers having so many companies and agents to choose from, it's difficult to find the lowest price insurance company.

This article will familiarize you with how to effectively get price quotes and some tips to save money. If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. North Carolina vehicle owners just need to know the most efficient way to shop their coverage around on the web.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are a few of the "ingredients" auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

Extra add-on coverages are wasting money - There are quite a few additional coverages that you can get tricked into buying if you aren't careful. Things like personal injury protection, accidental death and term life insurance are examples of these. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if they're wasting money remove them from your policy.
Traffic citations inflate rates - Only having one moving violation can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Careful drivers get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers with dangerous tickets like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to prevent a license revocation.
How credit affects auto insurance rates - A driver's credit score is a big factor in determining your rates. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit is low, you could save money insuring your by improving your rating.
Your location is important - Living in a rural area is a positive aspect when buying auto insurance. City drivers regularly have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents.

More discounts equal less premium

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but there could be available discounts to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be applied when you purchase, but a few need to be asked for before being credited. If you don't get every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.

Safety Course Discount - Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
Passive Restraints - Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
Pay Now and Pay Less - If you pay your bill all at once instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings - Low mileage vehicles can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Anti-theft Discount - Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Paperless Signup - Certain companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up online.
Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
Student in College - Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don't have a car may be able to be covered for less.
Homeowners Savings - Owning a home in Star may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.

Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies don't profit that way. But all discounts will help reduce your premiums.

To choose insurers with discount auto insurance rates in North Carolina, follow this link.

Switch companies and save? Really?

North Carolina drivers can't ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance by 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies say the same thing that you'll save big if you change to their company.

But how can every company say the same thing? It's all in the numbers.

All companies have a certain "appetite" for the driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A propective insured who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and therefore will save a lot of money.

Consumers who do not match this ideal profile must pay higher prices which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads state "customers who switch" not "everyone that quotes" save that much. That is how companies can advertise the savings.

This illustrates why you should get as many comparisons as possible. It's not possible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

It's not one size fits all

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else's and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you might need an agent's assistance.

Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What are the best liability limits?
Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?

If you don't know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Much more information about auto insurance in North Carolina can be found on the website for the North Carolina Department of Insurance found here. North Carolina drivers can discover disciplinary actions, file complaints about a company, find out industry alerts, and view agent and company licensing information.

Other informative sites include this resource for North Carolina auto insurance prices and this link which helps you find a Star agent.

In the end, you save

Discount auto insurance is attainable on the web and also from your neighborhood Star agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

In this article, we covered a lot of tips how to save on auto insurance. It's most important to understand that the more companies you get rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the lowest rates come from a small mutual company. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as .