Methods for Lowering Your Champaign, IL Auto Insurance Rates

Overpriced auto insurance can drain your savings account and make it impossible to make ends meet. Doing a price comparison is free and is an excellent way to make sure you’re not throwing money away. You have so many auto insurance companies to pick from, and even though it’s nice to be able to choose, it can be more challenging to compare rates and cut insurance costs.

Cheap Champaign Auto Insurance Comparisons

Finding a lower price on insurance is a fairly straight forward process. The only requirement is to take a few minutes to compare rate quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

The first (and easiest) way to get quotes for comparison is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This method keeps you from doing a different quote for each company. One simple form compares rates instantly.
A less efficient way to find lower rates consists of going to each company’s website to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let’s say you want to compare rates from Liberty Mutual, State Farm and Travelers. You would have to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Champaign, click here.
The hardest method to compare rates is to drive around to different Champaign agent offices. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the personal advice that only a license agent can provide. However, consumers can price shop online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll touch on that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make sure you use exactly the same coverage limits for every quote you compare. If the quotes have mixed coverages it will be impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Champaign.

Advertising myths

Consumers in Illinois get pounded daily by advertisements for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make the same claim about savings if you change to them.

How do they all claim to save you money?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A driver who fits that profile receives the best rates and as a result will probably save when switching.

Consumers who fall outside the requirements will be charged a more expensive rate and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. That is why it is so important to compare many company’s rates. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.

How to Lower your Auto Insurance Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that can help you get better auto insurance rates.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px" src="http://www.quoteclickinsure.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/ci175-17.jpg" alt="lower rates in Champaign IL” />

Marriage brings a discount – Having a wife or husband can actually save you money on your auto insurance policy. Having a spouse means you’re more responsible and it’s proven that married couples file fewer claims.
High numbers of claims are not good – Insurance companies in Illinois give lower rates to drivers who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect higher rates. Insurance coverage is designed for the large, substantial claims.
Extra add-on coverages are wasting money – There are quite a few additional coverages that can waste your money when buying auto insurance. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are examples of these. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but if they’re wasting money get rid of them and save.
High performance equals high price – The performance level of the car you own makes a big difference in how high your rates are. Economy passenger models generally receive the lowest base rates, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.

Take discounts and save

Auto insurance companies don’t always publicize every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accident claims.
Theft Prevention System – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Senior Citizens – Mature drivers may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
Seat Belts Save – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy qualifies for this discount.
Government Employees – Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.

For a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Illinois, click here.

But I don’t know anything about car insurance

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
How many claims can I have before being cancelled?
Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Illinois?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.

Buying auto insurance from a local agent

Certain consumers would rather buy from a licensed agent and that is OK! Agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the best rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After filling out this simple form, your information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Champaign who will battle to get your business. You don’t have to leave your house as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!

Picking an insurer requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

Do they make recommendations based only on price?
Will your rates increase after a single accident?
How long has their agency been open in Champaign?
Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?

Listed below is a list of insurance companies in Champaign willing to provide price quotes.

Farmers Insurance Group – 702 Bloomington Rd # 208, Champaign, IL 61820 – (217) 403-1920
American Family Insurance – 706 W Marketview Dr # A, Champaign, IL 61822 – (217) 355-6221
Allstate Insurance Co – 2003 Round Barn Rd # C, Champaign, IL 61821 – (217) 356-5533
Champaign General Agency – 44 E Main St # 210, Champaign, IL 61820 – (217) 356-4832
Ellars Insurance – 2104 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820 – (217) 355-8057

Upon receiving good answers for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to a company that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.

More comparisons equals lower rates

We just covered many ideas to lower your auto insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the biggest savings come from a small mutual company. Smaller companies often have lower prices on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive and GEICO.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s not a good idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

Additional Illinois car insurance resources

More detailed Illinois auto insurance information is located at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, learn about insurance regulations, and download brochures.

Other useful links include BankRate.com’s Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this list of insurance agents in Champaign.