Easy Methods to Cut Costs on Bolingbrook Car Insurance

Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of car insurance options in Bolingbrook? You’re not the only one! Drivers have so many options available that it can quickly become a big hassle to compare prices.

Locating the best coverage in Bolingbrook is easy if you know what you’re doing. Basically, every driver who is required by state law to have car insurance will most likely be able to save money. Although Illinois car owners do need to understand how insurance companies market insurance on the web.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Some trigger automatically when you purchase, but some must be inquired about in order for you to get them.

  • Discount for New Cars – Insuring a new car can be considerably cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can reduce accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than their less cautious counterparts.
  • Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to take driver’s ed class in high school.
  • Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and will save you 10% or more.
  • Good Student Discount – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
  • Paperwork-free – Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application digitally online.
  • Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
  • Resident Student – Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
  • Employee of Federal Government – Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% with a few car insurance companies.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any amount of discount will cut your premiums.

To see a list of companies with discount car insurance rates in Bolingbrook, follow this link.

Compare Quotes for Bolingbrook Car Insurance

Shopping for lower car insurance rates can take time and effort if you aren’t aware of the best way to get rate quotes. You can spend countless hours talking about coverages with agents in Bolingbrook, or you can utilize the web to get pricing more quickly.

The majority of car insurance companies belong to an insurance system where prospective buyers submit their information once, and each company can give them a price based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for form submissions for every car insurance company.

To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).

The one disadvantage to comparing rates this way is you don’t know exactly which carriers you will receive quotes from. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies for rate comparison, we have a listing of companies who write car insurance in Illinois. Click here for list of insurance companies in Illinois.

Whichever way you use, be sure to compare apples-to-apples quote information with every price quote. If the quotes have differing limits it will be very difficult to make a fair comparison in Bolingbrook. Just a small difference in coverage limits may cause a big price difference. Just keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps locate the best rates.

Educated Consumers Know How to Buy Car Insurance Cheaper

It’s important that you understand the factors that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Older drivers pay less – Mature drivers tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and are safer drivers. Youthful drivers tend to be less responsible in a vehicle and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
  • A clean driving record saves money – Careful drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Just one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who have flagrant citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
  • Do you need those extra coverages? – There are a lot of add-on coverages you can purchase when buying car insurance. Insurance for vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and term life insurance are some examples. These coverages may sound good when talking to your agent, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
  • An active claims history can cost you – Car insurance companies in Illinois generally give lower rates to people who file claims infrequently. If you file claims often, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Car insurance is designed for the large, substantial claims.

How to know if you need help

When choosing coverage, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.Auto insurance in Bolingbrook Illinois

  • Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Bolingbrook?
  • How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
  • Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
  • Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Do I need a local agent?

A small number of people would rather buy from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And providing support for local insurance agencies is important particularly in Bolingbrook.

After filling out this short form, your insurance data gets sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier! You can find better rates AND an agent nearby.

Different types of Bolingbrook insurance agents

When looking for a reliable agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents from which to choose. Insurance agencies in Bolingbrook are either independent or captive.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When searching for an agent, you should always contact at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices.Most can insure with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates.

Below is a short list of independent agents in Bolingbrook that can give you rate quotes.

  • Insurance Solutions – 421 Primrose Ln – Bolingbrook, IL 60490 – (630) 378-9390
  • Singh Insurance and Financial – 439 W Boughton Rd – Bolingbrook, IL 60440 – (630) 759-1500
Captive Insurance Agents

These agents work for only one company and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so always compare other rates. These agents are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell which can be an advantage. Consumers frequently purchase coverage from captives mainly due to the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Listed below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Bolingbrook that are able to give price quote information.

  • State Farm Insurance – 1 Wood Ct – Bolingbrook, IL 60440 – (630) 759-1331
  • Allstate Insurance – 281 S Schmidt Rd – Bolingbrook, IL 60440 – (630) 759-0111
  • American Family Insurance – 595 N Pinecrest Rd # D2 – Bolingbrook, IL 60440 – (630) 972-1548
  • Farmers Insurance Group – 280 S Schmidt Rd – Bolingbrook, IL 60440 – (630) 759-3344

To view a complete directory of captive agents in Bolingbrook, please go to this site.

Deciding on a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

  • Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
  • Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
  • What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
  • Are they full-time agents?
  • How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
  • Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?

After receiving positive feedback to any questions you have and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.

Do you really save 40% when you switch?

Car insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads in print and on television. They all say the same thing of big savings after switching your coverage to them. How can each company make almost identical claims?

Bolingbrook Illinois insurance ad

All companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has great credit. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential insureds who are not a match for the requirements will have to pay a more expensive rate and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That’s why companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you need to compare as many rates as you can. It’s not possible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

The cheapest car insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents in Bolingbrook, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, an insured cut collision coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

You just read a lot of ways to lower your car insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the best price on car insurance is with a small local company.

More information is located on the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find out industry alerts.