Cheaper Los Angeles Auto Insurance Rates in Five Minutes

Beginners to comparison shopping online may find finding cut-rate Los Angeles auto insurance very challenging. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the right way to eliminate unnecessary coverages and save money.

If you have car insurance now, you should be able to lower your premiums substantially using this information. Finding the cheapest auto insurance in Los Angeles is quite easy. But California consumers must understand how the larger insurance companies compete online and apply this information to your search.

Los Angeles Auto Insurance Comparisons

When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways to compare rates from different in Los Angeles, Californiainsurance companies. The best method to find competitive insurance rates consists of shopping online. This can be done in several different ways.

One of the best ways to get the best comparison quotes is to use a rate comparison form [click here to open form in new window]. This method eliminates the need for boring form submissions for each company. One simple form compares rates from all major companies. It’s definitely the quickest method.
A more time consuming way to get quotes online is to take the time to go to each individual company website and fill out their own quote form. For instance, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and Progressive. You would have to go to every website to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is more popular.For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Los Angeles, click here.

However you get your quotes, make absolute certain that you use exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles for each comparison quote. If you have different liability limits it’s impossible to make a fair comparison in Los Angeles. Just a small difference in coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that more quotes helps locate the best rates.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Car insurance companies do not advertise all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find both the well known and the more hidden auto insurance savings.

Memberships – Being a member of a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.
Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Air Bag Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
Student in College – Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may be able to be covered for less.
Auto/Home Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
Multiple Vehicles – Having multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy could earn a price break for each car.
Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, you’re out of luck.

How your Los Angeles rates are determined

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that could result in better auto insurance rates.

Adjust deductibles and save – Your deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply would be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, or theft. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.
Drive a safer car and pay less – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity means less money paid by your insurance company and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Type of vehicle determines base rates – The type of vehicle you are insuring makes a huge difference in your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars receive the most favorable rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
Men are more aggressive – Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. Howerever, this does not mean men are worse drivers. Men and women cause accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. Men also tend to get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
With age comes lower rates – Older drivers are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel. Youthful drivers are known to get distracted easily behind the wheel and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
Where you live is a factor – Living in a small town is a positive aspect when talking about auto insurance. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents. Urban drivers have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. More time commuting translates into higher accident risk.
Traffic violations increase rates – Careful drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Just one citation can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Drivers with flagrant tickets like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence are required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
More miles equals more premium – Driving more miles each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles that are left in the garage qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Verify your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle useage.

Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage

When choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

These are some specific questions can help discover whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
What are the financial responsibility laws in California?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Do you really save 40% when you switch?

21st Century, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads in print and on television. All the companies say the same thing of big savings after switching to their company. How can each company claim to save you money? Here’s the trick they use.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a profitable customer might be between 30 and 50, has no prior claims, and has a high credit rating. Any new insured who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and therefore will save when switching.

Consumers who don’t qualify for the requirements must pay higher prices which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings. This illustrates why it is so important to quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

Smart consumers save more

Consumers change insurance companies for many reasons like lack of trust in their agent, policy non-renewal, delays in paying claims or delays in responding to claim requests. No matter why you want to switch, switching auto insurance companies is actually quite simple.

As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.

We just covered a lot of ways to get a better price on vehicle. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Drivers may discover the best price on auto insurance is with a small mutual company.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the California Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to discover disciplinary actions, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and download brochures. Additional helpful sites include California auto insurance prices and find Los Angeles insurance agents.