Consumer Tested Strategies to Save on Water Mill Auto Insurance

Paying for high-priced auto insurance can empty your personal savings and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparison shopping is a smart way to help make ends meet.

There are many to buy insurance from, and although it's nice to be able to choose, it makes it harder to compare rates.

What determines how much you pay?

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that could result in big savings.

The list below includes a few of the "ingredients" companies use to determine premiums.

Higher deductibles cost less - Your deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The higher the amount you're willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
Rate your vehicle for proper use - The more you drive in a year's time the more you'll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies price each vehicle's coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
Rates may be higher depending on your occupation - Occupations such as lawyers, architects and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates because of high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, occupations like pilots, engineers and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.
Men fork out a little more - Statistics have proven that women are safer drivers than men. However, don't assume that women are better drivers. They both have accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also tend to get cited for more serious violations like reckless driving and DUI.
High numbers of claims are not good - Auto insurance companies in New York provide lower rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you file claims often, you can expect higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can't be paid out-of-pocket.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Companies don't list all available discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the best known as well as the least known auto insurance savings.

More Vehicles More Savings - Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
New Vehicle Savings - Buying coverage on a new vehicle 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.
Senior Discount - If you're over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
Good Student Discount - This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply up to age 25.
Paperless Signup - A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won't be that lucky.

To choose insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in New York, follow this link.

Is there truth in advertising?

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the companies say the same thing about savings if you move to them. How does each company say the same thing?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Potential customers who don't measure up to these standards must pay a higher premium which usually ends up with business not being written. The ads state "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save money. This is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. This illustrates why you should compare many company's rates. It's not possible to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn't really a single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and a cookie cutter policy won't apply. For example, these questions can help discover whether or not you might need an agent's assistance.

Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Learn more about auto insurance in New York

Even more information can be found at the New York Department of Financial Services website. New York drivers can report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read industry bulletins, and learn about insurance regulations.

The best insurance company isn't always the cheapest

Cheaper auto insurance is definitely available on the web and with local Water Mill insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it's very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.