Popular Tricks for Buying Morgantown West Virginia Auto Insurance Cheaper

Are you a victim of an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say you’re not alone. Numerous insurance companies battle for your business, so it’s not easy to compare every insurance company to find the absolute lowest rate

It’s a good habit to price shop coverage at least once a year because insurance rates are usually higher with each renewal. Just because you had the lowest rates on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. Don’t believe everything you read about auto insurance on the web, but we’re going to give you some guaranteed methods to put money back in your pocket.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or are just looking to switch companies, you can use these techniques to cut your premiums and still get good coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Morgantown is not that difficult. West Virginia consumers just need to understand the proper methods to get comparison quotes online.

How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in Morgantown, West Virginia

There are multiple methods to shop for auto insurance, but one way is less time-consuming than others. You can spend countless hours talking about coverages with insurance companies in Morgantown, or you can utilize online quoting to get pricing more quickly.

The majority of car insurance companies belong to an insurance system that allows shoppers to only type in their quote data once, and each company returns a rated price determined by their information. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests to each individual auto insurance company. To use this form to compare rates click to open in new window.

The one downside to comparing rates this way is buyers cannot specifically choose which providers you want to price. So if you prefer to pick specific providers to compare rates, we have a listing of the cheapest auto insurance companies in West Virginia. View list of West Virginia insurance companies.

However you get your quotes, make absolute certain that you use identical coverage limits and deductibles for each comparison quote. If you are comparing different liability limits it’s not possible to truly determine the lowest rate in Morgantown.

Auto insurance ads bend the truth

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings if you change to them.

But how can every company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer they prefer to insure. A good example of a desirable insured could be between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and chooses high deductibles. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save a lot of money.

Drivers who don’t measure up to the “perfect” profile will be charged a more expensive rate and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. That is why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Lower your Morgantown Auto Insurance Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

Listed below are some of the factors used by your company to calculate your rates.

  • Discounts for multiple policies – Most insurers will award you with lower prices to people who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, it’s still a good idea to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
  • Your spouse saves you money – Being married can actually save you money on your auto insurance policy. Having a spouse means you’re more responsible and it’s proven that being married results in fewer claims.
  • Always keep insurance in force – Having an insurance coverage lapse is a quick way to pay more for auto insurance. Not only will you pay more, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a license revocation or jail time.
  • Credit scores impact auto insurance rates – Having a bad credit history is a large factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Therefore, if your credit score is not that good, you could pay less to insure your by improving your credit score. Consumers who have excellent credit tend to be less risk to insure than those with lower credit scores.
  • More people means more accidents – Choosing to live in a small town can be a good thing when it comes to auto insurance. Less people living in that area means a lower chance of having an accident. Drivers in populated West Virginia areas have to deal with much more traffic to deal with and much longer commute distances. More time on the road means more change of being in an accident.
  • Males pay more for insurance – Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women are in accidents in similar numbers, but the male of the species cause more damage. Men also tend to have more aggressive citations such as reckless driving. Young males are most likely to cause an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
  • Car features impact rates – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder your vehicle from being stolen.
  • Do you have a high stress job? – Occupations like lawyers, business owners and stock brokers have the highest rates attributed to high stress levels and lengthy work days. On the other hand, professions such as actors, students and the unemployed get better rates.

These discounts can slash auto insurance rates

Companies don’t necessarily list all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we researched both the well known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.

  • Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to complete a driver education course in high school.
  • More Vehicles More Savings – Insuring multiple cars or trucks on one policy qualifies for this discount.
  • Driver Safety – Completing a course in driver safety could cut 5% off your bill depending on where you live.
  • Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down could be rewarded with lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Insuring a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
  • No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums if your claims history is clear for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Memberships – Being a member of a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on your policy.
  • Service Members Pay Less – Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
  • Sign Early and Save – Select companies give a discount for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
  • College Student – Any of your kids who live away from home and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.

Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.

For a list of insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in Morgantown, click here.

When might I need an agent?

When choosing adequate coverage, there really is no one size fits all plan. Every insured’s situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions can aid in determining if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

  • How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in West Virginia?
  • What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
  • Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
  • Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
  • Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
  • When should I not file a claim?
  • Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
  • Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
  • Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
  • How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in West Virginia?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

What about my local Morgantown agents?

Some consumers prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is OK! Good agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you can get better rates and still choose a local agent.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is sent to local insurance agents in Morgantown who will compete for your coverage. You won’t need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. How’s that for easy!

Deciding on an provider needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Some important questions to ask are:

  • Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
  • What insurance companies do they work with?
  • Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
  • How are claims handled?
  • Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?

The following are agents in Morgantown that may be able to provide price quote information.

WV National Insurance – 330 Scott Ave, Morgantown, WV 26508 – (304) 296-0507
Heflin Insurance – 411 Oakland St, Morgantown, WV 26505 – (304) 599-3445
Allstate Insurance – 1836 Listravia Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505 – (304) 292-0396
State Farm Insurance – 3130 Collins Ferry Rd # B, Morgantown, WV 26505 – (304) 598-8960
White Agency – 1756 Mileground Rd # C, Morgantown, WV 26505 – (304) 291-5110

After getting answers to your satisfaction to all your questions and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found a company that can service your policy.

Smart shoppers get results

Cost effective auto insurance is attainable online in addition to many Morgantown insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.

We just showed you many ideas to save on auto insurance. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers may even find the lowest priced auto insurance comes from the least-expected company. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like Allstate and Progressive.

For more information

More detailed West Virginia auto insurance information can be read at the West Virginia Insurance Commission website. West Virginia drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, read consumer alerts, and download brochures.

Also read more on this page for auto insurance in West Virginia and this link where you can get more info about Morgantown auto insurance.