If price shopping auto insurance online is new to you, you may be confused by the hoards of companies competing for business in Atchison.
It’s a good habit to price shop coverage periodically because rates are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the best price a year ago you may be paying too much now. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the best methods to save money, get proper deductibles and limits, all at the lowest rate.
Lots of discounts mean lots of savings
Car insurance is not cheap, but companies offer discounts to help offset the cost. Most are applied at the time of quoting, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before being credited.
- College Student – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have a car may be able to be covered for less.
- Early Signing – Select companies give a discount for signing up before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
- Military Rewards – Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.
- Organization Discounts – Affiliation with certain professional organizations could trigger savings on auto insurance.
- Drivers Ed for Students – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class in high school.
- No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims prior to the accident.
Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.
To choose providers offering auto insurance discounts in Atchison, follow this link.
Why your price might be higher
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what influences your rates helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.
- Performance level impacts rates – The performance level of the car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are generally reserved for low performance passenger models, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
- Cautious drivers pay less – Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with serious tickets like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence are required to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to continue driving.
- Add-on coverages can add up – There are many extra coverages you can purchase when buying auto insurance. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, better glass coverage and term life insurance may be costing you every month. They may seem good when you first buy your policy, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
- With age comes lower rates – Older insureds are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets. Young drivers are known to get distracted easily when behind the wheel therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
- Marriage brings a discount – Having a spouse can get you a discount on your policy. Marriage translates into being more mature than a single person and it’s proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
- More claims means more premium – If you file claims often, you can expect higher rates. Companies in Kansas generally give lower rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Insurance coverage is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Situations that might require an agent
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
- Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- Do I need higher deductibles?
- Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
- Should I buy more coverage than the required Kansas minimum liability coverage?
- Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
- Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
- What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form.
Much more information about auto insurance in Kansas is located on the Kansas Insurance Department website. Click here for link. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, learn about specific coverages, and find a variety of consumer forms.
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
Drivers who switch companies do it for many reasons like policy cancellation, extreme rates for teen drivers, denial of a claim and even policy non-renewal. Whatever your reason, finding a great new company is actually quite simple.
We covered a lot of information how to compare auto insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from some of the smallest insurance companies.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.