Are you intimidated by the dozens of car insurance choices in High Point? You’re not alone. Consumers have so many options available that it can quickly become a big hassle to compare prices.
How to Lower Your Car Insurance Cost in High Point, NC
The are a couple different ways of comparing rates from different in High Point, NCinsurance companies. The easiest way to find competitive insurance rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.
- One of the simplest ways consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form saves time by eliminating boring form submissions to each individual car insurance company. One simple form gets rate comparisons direct from many companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
- A different way to find lower rates requires you to visit each company website to request a price quote. For example, we’ll pretend you want to compare Allstate, 21st Century and Liberty Mutual. You would have to visit each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to insurance companies in High Point, click here.
- The most time-consuming method of comparing rate quotes is driving around to insurance agents’ offices. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the trained guidance of a licensed agent. It is possible to get the lowest quotes online and still use a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just double check that you are using the exact same deductibles and coverage limits for every quote you compare. If the quotes have different limits and deductibles on each one you can’t possibly decipher which rate is best in High Point. Just a small difference in coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. It’s important to know that comparing more company’s prices will enable you to find a better price.
Don’t be fooled by advertising claims
Car insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate and Geico consistently run ads on TV and radio. They all seem to make an identical promise of big savings if you change to their company. But how can every company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.
Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer they prefer to insure. An example of a driver they prefer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has great credit. Any driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.
Drivers who don’t qualify for these standards will be quoted a higher premium which leads to business not being written. The ads say “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. That’s the way companies can truthfully state the savings.
This emphasizes why drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. You cannot predict the company that will have the lowest rates.
Why some people pay less for insurance in High Point
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that go into determining car insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.
- High credit ratings translate to low rates – Your credit score is a huge factor in calculating your car insurance rates. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. If your credit is low, you could pay less to insure your by improving your rating.
- Proper usage rating affects rates – Driving more miles in a year’s time the higher your rate. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Autos not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your car insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage.
- Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as judges, architects and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average attributed to high stress levels and long work hours. On the flip side, jobs such as scientists, athletes and homemakers pay the least.
- Theft deterrents lower rates – Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder auto theft.
- An active claims history can cost you – Companies in North Carolina provide discounts to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you file claims often, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
- Men pay higher rates – Statistics demonstrate women tend to be less risk to insure than men. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes are in accidents at a similar rate, but men have costlier accidents. Men also receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Young males are the most expensive to insure and thus pay the highest rates.
- Your location is important – Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas has it’s advantages when talking about car insurance. Urban drivers regularly have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
Are you getting all your discounts?
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically when you complete an application, but a few need to be inquired about in order for you to get them.
- Multiple Cars – Having all your vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
- E-sign – A few companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing on their website.
- Resident Student – Any of your kids who are attending college and don’t have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Driver’s Ed – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver’s education in school.
- Organization Discounts – Belonging to a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount on your policy.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- No Claims – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially when compared with bad drivers.
It’s important to note that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your overall premium however.
For a list of companies offering car insurance discounts in North Carolina, follow this link.
Comparing rates from local agents
Some people would prefer to buy from a local agent and that is just fine! The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you can get better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And providing support for small agencies is important especially in High Point.
To find an agent, once you fill out this quick form, your coverage information is transmitted to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?! Get lower rates AND an agent nearby.
To view a list of agents in High Point to contact, please click here.
Choosing an insurance company requires more thought than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
Once you have answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and a low price estimate, most likely you have located an provider that can adequately provide car insurance.
And the best car insurance company is…
We just presented many ways to lower your car insurance rates. It’s most important to understand that the more rate comparisons you have, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the best price on car insurance is with the least-expected company.
People leave their current company for any number of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, lack of trust in their agent, policy cancellation and even policy non-renewal. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.
As you shop your coverage around, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
Additional information is located on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website located here. North Carolina drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, find out which companies have the most complaints, and find out industry alerts.
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