Easy Tips to Cut Costs on Stratford Auto Insurance

Finding the best price on Stratford auto insurance can seem like an uphill battle if you've never compared online price comparisons. But don't be discouraged because using the internet to shop for auto insurance is actually quite easy.

It's important to do rate comparisons periodically since insurance rates are constantly changing. If you had the best price two years ago you may be paying too much now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I'm going to let you in on the secrets to the fastest and easiest way to find better coverage at a better price.

Stratford Auto Insurance Comparisons

Shopping for lower auto insurance rates can take time and effort if you don't know the best way to get rate quotes. You could spend your day talking to insurance agencies in Stratford, or you can utilize the web to accomplish the same thing much quicker.

All the larger companies take part in a program that enables customers to submit their information once, and each company then gives them pricing for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.

To submit your quote information now, click here (opens in new window).

The one downside to getting quotes like this is buyers cannot specifically choose which companies to receive prices from. So if you prefer to choose specific insurance companies to request quotes from, we put together a list of low cost auto insurance companies in Texas. View list of Texas insurance companies.

It's up to you how you get prices quotes, just be sure to compare the exact same coverages for every quote you compare. If you use different limits and deductibles on each one it will be impossible to determine the best price in Stratford.

Stratford auto insurance comparison

Why some people pay less for insurance in Stratford

It's important that you understand the rating factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with big savings.

  • Older drivers save more - Older drivers are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel. Teenage drivers tend to be more careless behind the wheel therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
  • Your credit rating is important - Credit rating is a large factor in determining your rates. Drivers with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by repairing your credit.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Jobs such as lawyers, executives and accountants tend to pay higher rates than average attributed to high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, jobs such as scientists, athletes and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
  • Liability coverage protects you - The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you if ever a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.

Don't pay full price with these discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of purchase, but a few need to be specially asked for prior to receiving the credit. If they aren't giving you every credit you qualify for, you're just leaving money on the table.

  • New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle can save up to 30% due to better safety requirements for new cars.
  • Air Bag Discount - Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
  • Accident Free - Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially as compared to frequent claim filers.
  • Club Memberships - Affiliation with certain professional organizations could trigger savings on auto insurance.
  • Military Rewards - Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
  • Braking Control Discount - Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, auto insurance companies aren't that generous. Any amount of discount will cut your premiums.

For a list of companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Stratford, click this link.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no one size fits all plan. Everyone's needs are different.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether or not you will benefit from professional help.

  • Should I file a claim if it's only slightly more than my deductible?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
  • Am I getting all the discounts available?
  • Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
  • Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Texas?

If it's difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form. It's fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Additional information can be found on the Texas Department of Insurance website through this link. Texas drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out industry alerts, and read industry bulletins.

Texas auto insurance

A tidy conclusion

When buying insurance coverage, never reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where someone dropped physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.

In this article, we covered some good ideas how to lower your auto insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from an unexpected company.

Insureds who switch companies do it for many reasons like not issuing a premium refund, poor customer service, high rates after DUI convictions and questionable increases in premium. Regardless of your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is not as hard as you think.