Follow These Ultimate Techniques for Saving Money on Tupelo Mississippi Car Insurance

Finding lower rates for Tupelo car insurance can seem to be hard for beginners to comparing rates online. Consumers have so many options available that it can be a lot of work to find the best price in Tupelo.

How insurance companies determine rates

It’s important that you understand some of the elements that come into play when calculating your car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes a few of the “ingredients” companies use to determine prices.

Lower rates come with age – Youthful drivers in Mississippi tend to be less responsible when driving so they pay higher car insurance rates. Having to add a teen driver to your car insurance policy can really hurt. More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel.
Multiple policies with one company can save – Some companies will award you with lower prices to insureds who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even though this discount sounds good, you still need to compare rates to ensure the best deal.
Your job and insurance rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations like real estate brokers, executives and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. Other occupations like scientists, historians and performers receive lower rates.
Lower rates with optional equipment – Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Liability coverage is peace of mind – Your policy’s liability coverage is the protection if you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides legal defense starting from day one. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Car insurance companies don’t necessarily list all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the more common and the harder-to-find ways to save on car insurance. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

New Vehicle Savings – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
Discount for Life Insurance – Some companies give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
E-sign – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing over the internet.
Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.

To choose insurers offering car insurance discounts in Tupelo, click this link.

Local Tupelo agents and car insurance

Some consumers just want to visit with an insurance agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. The best thing about getting online price quotes is you can get the best rates but also keep your business local.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Tupelo who will give you bids for your business. You never need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How’s that for easy!

Picking an insurance company requires more thought than just the price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
Can glass repairs be made at your home?
Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
Are they full-time agents?
Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?

Do you need an independent or captive auto insurance agent?

When looking for local Tupelo agents, you need to know there are two different agency structures to choose from. Agencies in Tupelo are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they are different since it can impact your agent selection. Mississippi insurance ad

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents work for only one company like State Farm or Allstate. These agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. They receive extensive training on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent mostly because of the brand legacy and strong financial ratings.

Shown below are Tupelo captive insurance agents that can give you comparison quotes.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 1596 N Veterans Blvd – Tupelo, MS 38804 – (662) 842-7034
State Farm Insurance – 705 W Main St – Tupelo, MS 38804 – (662) 842-1142
Shelter Insurance – 2604 W Main St # G – Tupelo, MS 38801 – (662) 840-6107

Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents for the best price selection. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.

Listed below are independent agents in Tupelo that are able to give rate quotes.

Lamar Smith Insurance – 209 Commerce St # B – Tupelo, MS 38804 – (662) 844-9388
Michael Bryan Insurance – 304 S Broadway St – Tupelo, MS 38804 – (662) 841-8778
Nowell Agency – 2270 Mccullough Blvd – Tupelo, MS 38801 – (662) 844-1944
Chrestman Agency – 4110 Westside Dr # B – Tupelo, MS 38801 – (662) 841-1774
Direct General Ins Agency – 526 S Gloster St – Tupelo, MS 38801 – (662) 841-1311

For a complete listing of insurance agents in Tupelo, please go to this site.

Upon receiving acceptable answers to these questions and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.

The car insurance bait and switch

Mississippi consumers can’t get away from ads for cheaper car insurance from the likes of State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies make the same claim of big savings if you change your coverage to them.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

Different companies can use profiling for the right customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A driver who fits that profile receives the best rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who do not match this ideal profile will be quoted a more expensive rate which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how companies can truthfully state the savings. This emphasizes why you absolutely need to get as many comparisons as possible. It’s impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.

Informative consumer insurance sites

More tips and info about car insurance is located at the Mississippi Insurance Department website. Mississippi consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about specific coverages, view a list of available companies, and find a variety of consumer forms.

Online plus local equals savings

Cheaper car insurance can be sourced on the web and also from your neighborhood Tupelo agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide online quoting and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

People change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including high prices, questionable increases in premium, delays in responding to claim requests and unfair underwriting practices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new car insurance company is easier than you think.

As you shop your coverage around, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In too many instances, an insured dropped full coverage only to regret that it was a big mistake. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price.