Learn How to Find the Lowest Price on Ottumwa Iowa Auto Insurance

Finding the cheapest Ottumwa auto insurance on the web is intimidating for people who are new to comparing rates online. With such a large number of companies in the marketplace, how can you even start to compare every company to locate the best available price?

Components of your insurance rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

• Where you live is a factor – Residing in small towns and rural areas can save you money when it comes to auto insurance. Lower population means fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate. City drivers have to deal with traffic congestion and a longer drive to work. More time on the road can result in more accidents.
• Save money with special equipment – Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder car theft.
• With age comes lower rates – Teen drivers in Iowa have a tendency to be more careless when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Adding a youthful driver to your auto insurance policy can break the bank. More mature drivers are viewed as being more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
• You might want pay the small claims yourself – Insurance companies in Iowa award better rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Your insurance policy is designed for the large, substantial claims.
• Men are more aggressive – Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don’t assume that women are better drivers. Men and women have accidents at about the same rate, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also get more serious tickets like DUI and reckless driving.
• The type of vehicle makes a difference – The type of vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
• Do you have enough liability coverage? – Your policy’s liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. It will provide for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not cut corners here.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don’t necessarily list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the more hidden auto insurance savings. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Auto/Home Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
• Safety Course Discount – Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
• Club Memberships – Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings when shopping for auto insurance.
• Drive Less and Save – Keeping the miles down could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
• Own a Home – Owning a home in Ottumwa can save you money because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way.

To see a list of providers offering auto insurance discounts in Iowa, click this link.

Are insurance agents a thing of the past?

Some people prefer to get advice from a local agent. Good agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find better rates and still choose a local agent.

Upon completion of this short form, the quote information is emailed to local insurance agents in Ottumwa who will battle for your business. There is no reason to drive around since price quotes are sent directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!

Deciding on an insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the price. Here are some questions to ask:

• How long has their agency been in business in Ottumwa?
• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Iowa?
• If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
• What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
• Do they assist clients in filing claims?
• Can glass repairs be made at your home?

Types of auto insurance agents in Ottumwa

When finding a local agent, there are two types of insurance agents from which to choose. Ottumwa agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they are different since it can impact the type of agent you choose

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents work for only one company such as State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so always compare other rates. These agents receive extensive training on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents mostly because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Below is a list of captive insurance agents in Ottumwa that can give you rate quotes.

• Shelter Insurance – 611 Church St – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-0832
• Farm Bureau Insurance – 639 Pennsylvania Ave – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-8714
• American Family Insurance – 409 Church St – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 683-1891
• Farmers Insurance Group – 112 N Court St – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 684-6264
• Allstate Insurance – 425 W 2nd St – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-4519

Independent Agents

These agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your agent can switch companies without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to contact several independent insurance agents for the best price selection. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies who may have lower rates.

Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Ottumwa that are able to give price quote information.

• Oscar Axthelm Agency – 207 E Maple Ave – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-6138
• Noel Insurance Inc – 219 W 4th St – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-7533
• Schwartz Insurance Inc – 106 W 2nd St – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-3481
• Linda Lyon Agency – 101 S Market St # 207 – Ottumwa, IA 52501 – (641) 682-8004

For a full directory of insurance agents in Ottumwa, visit this site.

Upon getting satisfactory answers to these questions and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agent that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles.

Your personal situation dictates your coverage

When it comes to buying coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.

• Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
• Is Iowa a no-fault state?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?
• Why is insurance for a teen driver so high in Ottumwa?
• How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Iowa?
• Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.

Additional detailed information can be found at the Iowa Insurance Division website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find disaster information, find a variety of consumer forms, and read industry bulletins.

A tidy conclusion

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be found both online and also from your neighborhood Ottumwa agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies may not provide online quoting and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

We just covered a lot of tips how to compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest premiums are with some of the smallest insurance companies.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage and learned later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.