Tightwads Guide for Saving on Mitchell, SD Auto Insurance

Overwhelmed by the wide range of auto insurance options in Mitchell? You’re not the only one! Consumers have so many options available that it can be a lot of work to find lower rates.

You need to take a look at other company’s rates periodically since insurance rates change quite often. If you had the lowest rates a few years ago there may be better deals available now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the only way to buy cheaper auto insurance.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison in Mitchell

When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes from different in Mitchellinsurance companies. The easiest way by far to find the cheapest insurance rates consists of shopping online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

The easiest and least time consuming way consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do separate forms for each company you want a rate for. In just a few minutes this one form will get you price quotes instantly.It’s the quickest way to get rates.
A more time consuming way to get quotes online consists of going to the website of each company and request a quote. For examples sake, let’s say you want rates from GEICO, Esurance and Allstate. You would have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to insurance companies in Mitchell, click here.
The least efficient method of comparing rate quotes is driving around to different agent offices. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you prefer the professional advice of a local agent. However, consumers can obtain prices from the web but buy from a local insurance agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

Whichever way you use, ensure you are comparing identical coverages for every quote you compare. If you have different deductibles it will be impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Mitchell. Just a small difference in insurance coverages could mean much higher rates. Just remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps you find better pricing.

Take advantage of discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there are discounts available to reduce the price significantly. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but some may not be applied and must be manually applied before you get the savings.

Sign Early and Save – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. It can save you around 10%.
Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a home in Mitchell may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
Multiple Cars – Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Life Insurance – Larger companies have a discount if you purchase auto and life insurance together.
Sign Online – Certain companies will give a small break just for signing your application on their website.
Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
Organization Discounts – Affiliation with a qualifying organization could trigger savings on auto insurance.
Seat Belts Save – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.

Drivers should understand that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn’t work that way. But all discounts will reduce your premiums.

Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

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

Safer occupants lowers premiums – Safer cars get lower rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and any reduction in injury severity translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Being married is a good thing – Getting married can actually save you money when buying auto insurance. Having a spouse means you’re more mature than a single person and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Don’t skimp on liability – Your policy’s liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if ever you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so buy as much as you can afford.
More claims means more premium – Auto insurance companies in South Dakota provide lower rates to insureds who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee either higher rates or even cancellation. Your insurance policy is designed for larger claims.
Optional equipment can affect rates – Driving a car that has an advanced theft prevention system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder car theft.
Traffic violations increase rates – A bad driving record impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Even one moving violation can increase rates by twenty percent. Good drivers receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. If you have dangerous violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may find they need to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
Credit scores impact auto insurance rates – Credit score is a big factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could pay less to insure your by repairing your credit. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have poor credit.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Many auto insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who consolidate policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount you still need to compare rates to verify if the discount is saving money.

Buying car insurance locally

A small number of people prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! The best thing about price shopping on the web is that you can obtain better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting local businesses is important especially in Mitchell.

After completing this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to agents in your area who will compete for your coverage. You never need to drive around as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How cool is that?! You can find better rates AND an agent nearby.

Two types of Mitchell insurance agencies

When searching for a local agent, there are two types of agencies to choose from. Mitchell agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates. auto insurance image

Below are Mitchell independent agencies that may be able to provide comparison quotes.

Reginald Martin Agency – 510 W Havens St – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-5881
Diversified Insurance – 800 S Duff St – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-7947
Federated Insurance – 914 University Blvd – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-6120
Ray Feldman Agency – 106 W 5th Ave – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-9832
Guymon Agency – 712 S Sanborn Blvd – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-7132

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents work for only one company like State Farm or Allstate. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents receive extensive training on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives mainly due to loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.

Below is a list of captive agents in Mitchell who can help you get rate quotes.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 100 W 5th Ave – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-0919
State Farm Insurance – 1414 N Main St – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-3611
American Family Insurance – 411 S Ohlman St – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-1594
Farmers Insurance Group – 106 W 5th Ave – Mitchell, SD 57301 – (605) 996-0088

To view a complete directory of auto insurance agents in Mitchell, simply jump to this page.

Selecting an insurance agency should depend on more than just a low price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
What insurance company do they write the most business with?
Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in South Dakota?
Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?

Once you have positive responses and locked in a price quote, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to provide auto insurance coverage.

Do I just need basic coverages?

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different.

For instance, these questions may help highlight if you will benefit from professional help.

Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in South Dakota?
If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
How many claims can I have before being cancelled?
Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?

If you’re not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Much more information about auto insurance in South Dakota is available on the South Dakota Division of Insurance website found here. Visitors are able to read industry bulletins, learn about insurance regulations, get help finding coverage, and view agent and company licensing information.

Also read more on this page for auto insurance prices in South Dakota and this page of Mitchell insurance agents.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Companies like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise that you’ll save big after switching to their company. How do they all say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured might be profiled as a mature driver, has no prior claims, and has excellent credit. A driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Drivers who don’t meet the requirements will be charged more money and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

That is why drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It’s not possible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.

Best coverage at the best price

We just showed you many ways to get a better price on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the biggest savings come from a lesser-known regional company.

When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, someone dropped physical damage coverage only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.

Cheap auto insurance can be purchased online as well as from independent agents in Mitchell, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance providers don’t offer online quoting and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.