New Techniques for Paying Less for on Edmonds Washington Auto Insurance

Finding lower rates for Edmonds auto insurance can seem to be hard for people who are new to comparing rates online. Consumers have so many options available that it can easily become a real challenge to find the best price in Edmonds.

You need to check auto insurance prices occasionally since insurance rates are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you got the best deal six months ago there may be better deals available now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the best methods to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this strategy. This article will let you in on how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. But Washington car owners do need to learn how companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.

Lots of discounts mean lots of savings

Auto insurance companies don’t always publicize every available discount very clearly, so we researched both the well known as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.

• Own a Home – Owning a home in Edmonds may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
• Save over 55 – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a small decrease in premiums.
• College Student – Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have a car may qualify for this discount.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can earn a discount up to 10% depending on your company.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck.

Informed Drivers can Cut Their Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that can help you get big savings.

The following are a few of the “ingredients” auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

• Your occupation can affect rates – Careers like lawyers, business owners and stock brokers tend to have the highest rates attributed to high stress levels and long work hours. On the other hand, jobs such as farmers, students and retirees receive lower rates.
• Do you know your deductibles? – Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The deductibles are how much you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more you’re willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
• Theft deterrents lower rates – Owning a car with an alarm system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can help prevent car theft.
• Safer occupants lowers premiums – Vehicles with high crash test scores get lower rates. Safer cars reduce injuries and better occupant protection translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims passed on to you as lower rates.
• Careful drivers pay lower rates – Just one citation can boost insurance rates twenty percent or more. Careful drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. Drivers who have flagrant citations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to keep their license.
• Having a spouse can save you money – Having a spouse helps lower the price on auto insurance. Having a significant other translates into being more mature than a single person it has been statistically shown that being married results in fewer claims.

The fine print in auto insurance ads

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO continually stream ads on television and other media. They all have a common claim about savings after switching to them. But how can every company claim to save you money?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a preferred risk could be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save when they switch companies.

Consumers who don’t measure up to these standards will be charged higher rates which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That is how companies can advertise the way they do. That is why you need to get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

Online resources for education

Additional detailed information can be found at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Visitors are able to find out industry alerts, learn about insurance regulations, discover disciplinary actions, and find out which companies have the most complaints.

Compare but don’t skimp

As you prepare to switch companies, don’t be tempted to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Insureds who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as poor customer service, questionable increases in premium, extreme rates for teen drivers and being labeled a high risk driver. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new auto insurance company is not as difficult as it may seem.

The cheapest auto insurance is available online and with local Edmonds insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.