Tightwads Guide to Saving on Wallace Auto Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy high-priced auto insurance? Believe me when I say you're not the only one.

With consumers having so many choices, it can be hard to pick the cheapest company.

Save big with these discounts

Car insurance companies don't list every discount very well, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

Payment Method - If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Multiple Vehicles - Insuring multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Distant Student - Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
Anti-theft Discount - Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Memberships - Participating in a professional or civic organization is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for auto insurance.
Driver's Ed - Have your child successfully complete driver's ed class if it's offered in school.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like you can get free auto insurance, you won't be that lucky.

To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in North Carolina, click here to view.

How to Compare Auto Insurance in Wallace, North Carolina

There are several ways of comparing price quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. The best method to find the cheapest insurance rates is to perform an online rate comparison. This can be done using a couple different methods.

The best way consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form click here to open form in new window. This easy form keeps you from doing separate quotes for every auto insurance company. Filling out one form will get you rate comparisons instantly.
A more difficult way to get quotes online requires you to visit the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For examples sake, let's say you want to compare rates from , and . To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker.

To view a list of companies in Wallace, click here.

It's up to you which method you use, but ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples coverage information on every quote. If you use unequal deductibles or liability limits then you won't be able to make a fair comparison in Wallace. Quoting even small variations in coverages may result in large price differences. Just remember that comparing more company's prices provides better odds of finding the best offered rates.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.

Car features impact rates - Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart car theft.
Do you know your deductibles? - Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend in the event of a claim. Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and burglary. The higher the amount the insured has to pay upfront, the less your auto insurance will be.
Mature drivers pay less - Teen drivers in North Carolina are known to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. Older insureds are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims and receive fewer citations.
Consolidate policies to earn discounts - Many insurers provide better rates to customers who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you're getting this discount it's still a good idea to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.
Liability coverage is cheap - Liability coverage provides coverage when a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.
Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs - Companies in North Carolina award discounts to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for the large, substantial claims.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on TV and radio. They all make an identical promise about savings after switching your policy. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It's all in the numbers.

All companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, 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 most likely will save a lot of money.

Consumers who fall outside this ideal profile will be quoted higher rates and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state "customers who switch" not "people who quote" save that kind of money. That's the way companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why drivers must get as many comparisons as possible. It's impossible to know which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Affordable insurance is out there

Cheaper auto insurance can be bought online in addition to many Wallace insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some auto insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

When shopping online for auto insurance, do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to discover later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The proper strategy is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Even more information can be found at the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. North Carolina consumers can view a list of available companies, report car insurance fraud, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and read consumer alerts.

Additional helpful sites include this site for auto insurance rates in North Carolina and this list of insurance agents in Wallace, NC.