9 Top Ways to Slash Car Insurance Costs in Wheaton, MO

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you there are many people just like you.

Drivers have so many to buy insurance from, and even though it's nice to have multiple companies, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates.

Finding affordable coverage in Wheaton is easy if you know what you're doing. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to cut costs considerably using this information. But Missouri car owners do need to know the way companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

How much can you save with these nine discounts?

Companies don't list every discount very clearly, so we researched some of the more common as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Pay Now and Pay Less - By paying your policy upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
  • Clubs and Organizations - Belonging to a qualifying organization may earn a discount when shopping for car insurance.
  • Multiple Cars - Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
  • Distant Student - Youth drivers who are attending college and don't have a car can receive lower rates.
  • Theft Prevention Discount - Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Homeowners Discount - Simply owning a home can save you money because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
  • Federal Government Employee - Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with a few car insurance companies.
  • 55 and Retired - If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a small decrease in premiums.
  • Lower Rates for Military - Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.

Consumers should know that some credits don't apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don't profit that way.

compare Wheaton car insurance rates

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO consistently run television and radio advertisements. They all have a common claim that you'll save big if you change your coverage to them. How does each company make the same claim?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a driver they prefer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has great credit. Any new insured that hits that "sweet spot" will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.

Consumers who don't meet these standards will be quoted higher rates and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ad wording is "customers that switch" but not "drivers who get quotes" save that much money. That's the way companies can advertise the savings. This emphasizes why drivers should compare many company's rates. It's just too difficult to predict which car insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Learn more about Missouri car insurance

More detailed Missouri car insurance information is located at the Missouri Department of Insurance website. Consumers can view a list of available companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, report car insurance fraud, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Final considerations

Discount car insurance can be sourced from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Wheaton, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who don't offer you the ability to get quotes online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

When you buy insurance online, it's very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.