Nobody I know looks forward to paying premiums for auto insurance, especially when they know their premiums are through the roof. Many auto insurance companies compete for your hard-earned dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every company and get the best coverage at the lowest cost out there.
The easiest way to get policy rate comparisons is to know most insurance companies allow for online access to provide you with free rate quotes. The only thing you need to do is provide the companies a bit of rating information such as driver ages, how much education you have, how much you drive, and whether you drive to work or school. Your information is submitted instantly to insurance companies and they provide comparison quotes within a short period of time.
If you would like to compare rates now, click here and find out if you can get cheaper insurance.
Save a ton with discounts
Car insurance can cost a lot, but you might already qualify for some discounts that can help lower your rates. Many discounts should be triggered when you get a quote, but some need to be inquired about prior to getting the savings.
- ABS Braking Discount – Vehicles with ABS and/or traction control prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Military Discounts – Being on active deployment in the military can result in better rates.
- Discount for Passive Restraints – Factory options such as air bags may get savings of 20 to 30 percent.
- Drive Safe and Save – Accident-free drivers can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates as compared to drivers with claims.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn a discounted auto insurance rate on car insurance if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
- Membership in Organizations – Being a member of specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations is a simple method to lower premiums when shopping for auto insurance.
- Save with More Vehicles Insured – Purchasing coverage when you have more than one vehicle with one company can reduce the rates for all insured vehicles.
- Defensive Driver Discount – Successfully completing a driver safety course could earn you a small percentage discount if you qualify.
- Full Payment Discount – By making one initial payment rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
A quick disclaimer, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. Even though it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don’t profit that way.
Popular auto insurance companies and some of the premium reductions they offer can be read below.
- Farm Bureau may have discounts that include renewal discount, driver training, 55 and retired, safe driver, multi-vehicle, good student, and youthful driver.
- MetLife offers discounts for claim-free, good student, defensive driver, good driver, multi-policy, and accident-free.
- Progressive discounts include continuous coverage, online quote discount, multi-vehicle, homeowner, and online signing.
- AAA may offer discounts for multi-policy, multi-car, good student, anti-theft, pay-in-full, AAA membership discount, and good driver.
- American Family has discounts for mySafetyValet, defensive driver, air bags, early bird, TimeAway discount, multi-vehicle, and good student.
- Geico offers premium reductions for air bags, driver training, seat belt use, anti-lock brakes, and military active duty.
- State Farm policyholders can earn discounts including anti-theft, accident-free, defensive driving training, Drive Safe & Save, multiple policy, good driver, and safe vehicle.
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company or agent which credits you are entitled to. A few discounts may not be available in Surfside Beach. To see auto insurance companies that offer the discounts shown above in South Carolina, click here to view.
What is the best auto insurance coverage?
When buying coverage, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions could help you determine if you will benefit from professional help.
- Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
- Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- What are the best liability limits?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
- Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
- Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina consumers can view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read consumer alerts, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.