Little Known Tricks to Saving Money on Ashland Car Insurance

If online car insurance comparisons are new to you, it’s easy to get confused because of the huge number of companies vying for business in Ashland.

If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using these techniques. Pricing affordable car insurance in Ashland is simple if you know the tricks. But Kentucky drivers must comprehend how companies price online insurance and apply this information to your search.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Ashland, Kentucky

The are a couple different ways of comparing rates from different in Ashland, Kentuckyinsurance companies. By far the easiest way to compare insurance prices is simply to get online rate quotes. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

  • The fastest way consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing separate quotes for each company. In just a few minutes this one form will return price quotes from all major companies. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
  • A more difficult way to analyze rates is going to each company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For instance, let’s say you want to compare State Farm, Progressive and Farmers. To find out each rate you need to go to every website and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular. To view a list of companies in Ashland, click here.
  • The least recommended way of getting rate comparisons is to waste gas driving to and from local Ashland insurance agencies. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the trained guidance only provided by licensed Ashland agents. You can, however, obtain prices from the web but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

Whichever method you choose, make darn sure you compare exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits for each price quote. If your comparisons have higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to determine the best price in Ashland. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages may result in large price differences. Just keep in mind that quoting more helps you find lower pricing.

Smart Buyers can Save Money

Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that come into play when calculating your car insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that could result in big savings.

  • High credit ratings translate to low rates – Having a bad credit score is a big factor in determining your rates. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could save money insuring your by improving your rating. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure than drivers with poor credit.
  • Men fork out a little more – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. Men and women cause accidents in similar numbers, but the males cause more damage. They also receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Youthful male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high car insurance rates.
  • More miles equals more premium – The more you drive every year the more you will pay for car insurance. Most companies apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your car insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save – Safer cars tend to have better insurance rates. Safe vehicles have better occupant injury protection and fewer injuries translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • High performance equals high price – The performance of the car you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in the rate you pay. Lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles usually have the lowest rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.

Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, buy you may qualify for discounts that many people don’t even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply when you complete an application, but a few need to be manually applied before you will receive the discount.

  • Good Students Pay Less – This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
  • Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.
  • Accident Free – Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially compared to frequent claim filers.
  • Discount for Swiching Early – Select companies give a discount for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. The savings is around 10%.
  • Accident Waiver – Certain companies permit an accident before your rates go up if you are claim-free for a set time period.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
  • Homeowners Savings – Being a homeowner can save you money because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
  • Discount for New Cars – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
  • Student in College – Children who live away from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
  • Theft Prevention System – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you won’t be that lucky. But all discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

To see a list of companies with discount car insurance rates in Ashland, click here to view.

When should I talk to an agent?

When buying the right insurance coverage, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique.

Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your situation would benefit from professional advice.

  • Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
  • Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
  • Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
  • Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
  • I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
  • What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.Ashland car insurance prices

Can’t I compare rates from local Ashland agents?

Certain consumers prefer to talk to a local agent. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. And supporting local businesses is important especially in Ashland.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this simple form, your coverage information gets sent to local insurance agents who will give you bids for your coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! You’ll get the best rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

The type of auto insurance agent you choose is important

When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of agencies that you can select. Agents are classified as either independent or captive.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies without you having to go to a different agency.

When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Ashland that can give you price quote information.

  • Thoroughbred Agency Inc – 1430 Winchester Ave – Ashland, KY 41101 – (606) 325-2491
  • Charles C Adams Insurance – 221 20th St – Ashland, KY 41101 – (606) 325-9709
  • Richard Dowdy Agency – 2401 Carter Ave – Ashland, KY 41101 – (606) 324-6574
  • Rupert Insurance – 4332 13th St – Ashland, KY 41102 – (606) 324-1080
  • Dan Click Agency – 708 26th St – Ashland, KY 41101 – (606) 329-9975
Agency Captives

These agents have only one company to place business with and examples are Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are trained well on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Consumers often choose to use a captive agent primarily because of loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.

Below are captive insurance agents in Ashland who can help you get price quotes.

  • Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance – 905 Bob Mccullough Dr – Ashland, KY 41102 – (606) 928-9561
  • Allstate Insurance – 4332 13th St # 1 – Ashland, KY 41102 – (606) 325-7700
  • State Farm Insurance – 10730 Midland Trail Rd – Ashland, KY 41102 – (606) 928-7000

For a complete listing of car insurance agents in Ashland, simply jump to this page.

Picking a car insurance agent requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:

  • Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Kentucky?
  • Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
  • Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
  • If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
  • Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?

After getting satisfactory answers to any questions you have and a low price estimate, you may have just found an insurance agent that will provide car insurance coverage.

Ashland car insurance prices

Summing up your car insurance search

Budget-conscious car insurance can be sourced both online as well as from independent agents in Ashland, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We just covered quite a bit of information on how to compare car insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the best price on car insurance is with some of the lesser-known companies.

Drivers leave their current company for any number of reasons including denial of a claim, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, unfair underwriting practices or high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new insurance company is not as hard as you think.

Online resources for education

Much more information about car insurance in Kentucky is located on the Kentucky Department of Insurance website found here. Visitors are able to find out which companies have the most complaints, read industry bulletins, get help finding coverage, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Additional helpful sites include this online resource for free quotes in Kentucky and this page for help finding agents in Ashland, KY.