Finding the cheapest Akron auto insurance on the internet can seem to be problematic for beginners to comparing rates online. With such a large number of online companies, how can consumers have a chance to compare every company to locate the best price?
You should take the time to price shop coverage periodically because prices go up and down regularly. Even if you think you had the best price a year ago you can probably find a better price now. There is too much inaccurate information about auto insurance online, so I’m going to show you the easiest ways to buy auto insurance cheaper.
Choosing the best insurance company for you in Akron is not that difficult. If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this information. But Ohio drivers must learn how the larger insurance companies price insurance differently and apply this information to your search.
Save money by taking advantage of these discounts
Companies don’t always list every available discount very well, so here is a list both the well known and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance.
- Paperwork-free – Certain companies give back up to $50 simply for signing online.
- Multi-policy Discount – If you have multiple policies with one company you may save up to 20% off your total premium.
- Memberships – Affiliation with a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break when shopping for auto insurance.
- Good Student – Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you up to age 25.
- Distant Student – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Multiple Cars – Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
- New Vehicle Savings – Insuring a new car is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
It’s important to note that some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So even though they make it sound like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it just doesn’t work that way.
For a list of insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Ohio, click here.
Smart Buyers can Save Money
Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.
The list below includes some of the factors companies use to determine rates.
- The more you drive the more you pay – Driving more miles in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers price each vehicle’s coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars left parked in the garage receive lower rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
- Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as real estate brokers, architects and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates in part from stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, occupations like actors, engineers and homemakers receive lower rates.
- Clean credit earns discounts – Having a bad credit history is a big factor in determining your rates. If your credit score is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by improving your credit score. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
- Bad driving skills means higher rates – A bad driving record has a huge affect on how much you pay. Even one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than bad drivers. If you have serious violations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
- Lower rates come with age – Mature drivers tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel. Youthful drivers are statistically proven to get distracted easily in a vehicle therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
- Women pay lower rates – Statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. They both are in accidents in similar percentages, but men cause more damage. Men also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are the most expensive to insure and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
- More than one policy can earn a discount – Some insurers give discounts to insureds who have multiple policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal.
You may need specialized coverage
When choosing adequate coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.
For instance, these questions may help highlight whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
- Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
- When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.
Quote online but still have a local agent
A small number of people prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.
By using this form (opens in new window), your information is instantly submitted to insurance agents in Akron who will battle to get your business. You never need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. How cool is that?! You’ll get the best rates and a licensed agent to work with.
Deciding on an insurance company requires more thought than just the price. Here are some questions to ask:
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
To view licensed agents in Akron, view this link.
Once you have received acceptable answers for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurer that will properly service your auto insurance policy.
Do you really save 40% when you switch?
State Farm, Geico and Progressive consistently run ads on TV and radio. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings if you change to their company. But how can every company make almost identical claims?
All companies can use profiling for the type of driver they prefer to insure. An example of a desirable insured might be a mature driver, has no prior claims, and has a short commute. A propective insured that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.
Consumers who don’t measure up to the requirements will have to pay higher rates and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That is how companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It is impossible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.
Even more information is available at the Ohio Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read state legal mandates and laws, find disaster information, file complaints about a company, and read industry bulletins.
Summing up your auto insurance search
Consumers switch companies for a variety of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund or even delays in responding to claim requests. Whatever your reason, finding a great new company can be easier than you think.
In this article, we covered quite a bit of information on how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even find the lowest premiums are with the smaller companies.
Low-cost auto insurance is possible on the web as well as from independent agents in Akron, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance providers don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.