How to Know You're Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Tullahoma

Overpriced auto insurance can drain your personal savings and force you to prioritize other expenses. Shopping your coverage around is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to lower your monthly bill.

With consumers having so many options when it comes to auto insurance, it can be impossible to find the lowest cost company.

You have some control over your rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates enables informed choices that could result in big savings.

Higher deductibles cost less - Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply would be colliding with a building, vandalism, or theft. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
Where do you drive? - The more you drive in a year's time the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based on their usage. Cars and trucks not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage.
High numbers of claims are not good - If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect higher rates. Auto insurance companies in Tennessee award discounts to drivers who are claim-free. Insurance coverage is intended for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.
Cautious drivers pay less - Careful drivers get better rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with severe tickets such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence are required to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to drive a vehicle legally.
Pay less after the wedding - Getting married actually saves money on your policy. Having a spouse means you're more mature and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

All major auto insurance companies allow you to get prices on the web. This process is quite easy as you just enter your required coverages as detailed in the form. After the form is submitted, the system will obtain your credit score and driving record and returns a price quote based on these and other factors. This simplifies rate comparisons, but the time required to go to multiple sites and type in the same information can be a bit tiresome and repetitive. But it's very important to have as many quotes as possible in order to find the best price on auto insurance.

There is a better way!

The preferred way to compare auto insurance pricing uses one form to get prices from multiple companies. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes comparison shopping much more enjoyable. As soon as you send your information, it is rated and you are able to buy any or none of the resulting price quotes.

If you find a better price you can simply submit the application and buy the policy. The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes and may save quite a bit of money.

To find out if lower rates are available, click here to open in new window and enter your information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you complete the form with as shown on your current policy. This makes sure you are getting a rate comparison for the exact same coverage.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there could be available discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.

More Vehicles More Savings - Buying coverage for multiple cars or trucks with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
Save with a New Car - Insuring a new car can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Government Employees - Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount depending on your company.
Good Student Discount - This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
Accident Waiver - Some insurance companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven't had any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it just doesn't work that way. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.

To choose insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in Tennessee, click here to view.

How can Allstate, GEICO and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive regularly use ads on television and other media. All the companies make an identical promise that you can save if you move to their company. But how can every company claim to save you money? It's all in the numbers.

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. A good example of a profitable customer might be over the age of 50, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Potential customers who are not a match for this ideal profile must pay higher prices and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say "customers who switch" not "everybody who quotes" save that much. This is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

This illustrates why you need to compare many company's rates. It's impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Tailor your coverage to you

When buying coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions can help discover whether you may require specific advice.

Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Tennessee?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If you're not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

More information can be read on the website for the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance found here. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, download brochures, and file complaints about a company.

Other informative sites include this page for Tennessee auto insurance and this page for help finding agents in Tullahoma, TN.

Affordable insurance is out there

Affordable auto insurance is definitely available both online and also from your neighborhood Tullahoma agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, don't be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.