Expensive auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your savings account and make it hard to pay other bills. Comparison shopping is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.
Drivers have so many insurers to insure vehicles with, and even though it’s nice to be able to choose, it can be more difficult to find the best rates.
Consumers need to do rate comparisons occasionally because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you got the best price a year ago other companies may now be cheaper. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to one of the quickest ways to find great coverage at a great price.
Be sure to get all your discounts
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but you may find discounts that many people don’t even know exist. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of purchase, but a few must be specifically requested before they will apply.
- Life Insurance – Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
- Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save 5% or more.
- Good Students Pay Less – Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
- Save with a New Car – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
- Sign Early and Save – Select companies give a discount for switching policies prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
- Senior Citizens – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
- No Charge for an Accident – A few companies allow you one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
- Multi-car Discount – Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on one policy qualifies for this discount.
It’s important to note that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will bring down your overall premium however.
How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs in Attleboro, Massachusetts
Comparing auto insurance rates can be challenging if you aren’t aware of the most efficient way. You can waste a few hours (or days) talking to local insurance agents in Attleboro, or you can stay home and use the web to maximize your effort.
Many insurance companies are enrolled in a marketplace where insurance shoppers only type in their quote data once, and each company then gives them pricing based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms for each company you want a rate for.
To compare pricing click here to start a free quote.
One minor caviat to using this type of form is you cannot specify which providers to receive prices from. So if you prefer to pick from a list of companies to compare, we have a page of low cost auto insurance companies in Massachusetts. Click to view list.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just be sure to compare the exact same information with every price quote. If you enter mixed coverages it will be next to impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Attleboro. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits may result in large price differences. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies helps you find better pricing.
Rate influencing factors
It’s important that you understand the different types of things that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.
- Lower rates with optional equipment – Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder auto theft.
- Do you know your deductibles? – Insurance for physical damage to your car, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, damage from fire, and windstorm damage. Your deductibles are how much you are willing to pay before your auto insurance pays a claim. The higher the amount you have to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
- Performance level impacts rates – The type of car you are insuring makes a huge difference in your rates. Economy passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
- Cautious drivers pay less – A bad driving record impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Drivers who don’t get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance than bad drivers. Only having one citation can bump up the cost forty percent or more. If you have serious violations such as DUI or reckless driving may find they need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
- Proper usage rating affects rates – The higher the mileage driven every year the higher your rate. Most companies apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars left parked in the garage can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet is showing the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.
- Claim-free discounts can add up – If you tend to file frequent claims, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance companies in Massachusetts give lower rates to drivers who do not file claims often. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Beware of misleading auto insurance ads
Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm continually stream ads on television and other media. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings after switching to their company. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.
Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. For instance, a profitable customer could possibly be between 25 and 40, has no driving citations, and has a high credit rating. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.
Potential customers who don’t qualify for the requirements must pay higher premiums and ends up with business not being written. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. This is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings.
This illustrates why drivers must quote coverage with many companies. Because you never know which company will fit your personal profile best.
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
We covered quite a bit of information on how to shop for auto insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get rates for, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may even find the best prices are with the least-expected company. They often have lower prices on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm and Allstate.
While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and discovered at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate.
Cheaper auto insurance can be purchased from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Attleboro agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.
Additional auto insurance information can be read on the website for the Massachusetts Division of Insurance through this link. Massachusetts consumers can read consumer alerts, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and learn about specific coverages.
The following information may also be useful.