Proven Methods for Low-Cost Shawnee, OK Auto Insurance

Scraping up a payment for overpriced auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your checking account and force you to make sacrifices. Shopping your coverage around is a great way to cut your insurance bill. Numerous car insurance companies battle for your hard-earned dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurance companies and get the definite best rates possible.

Consumers need to shop coverage around before your policy renews because rates change regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal a year ago you can probably find a lower rate today. There is too much inaccurate information about auto insurance on the internet, so we’re going to give you some tested techniques to find cheap auto insurance.

If you have insurance now or are just looking to switch companies, you can use this information to shop for the lowest rates and still get good coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Shawnee is not that difficult. Oklahoma drivers just need to know the best way to buy auto insurance online.

Save Money with These Tips

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are some of the factors auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.

  • Sex matters – Statistics demonstrate that women are safer drivers than men. However, don’t assume that men are WORSE drivers than women. Both sexes tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
  • Liability coverage is cheap – The liability section of your policy will protect you in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages from an accident. Liability provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Teen drivers pay high rates – More mature drivers are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel. Teenage drivers have a tendency to be more careless when driving and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
  • Do you know you’re credit rating? – Having a bad credit score is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with lower ratings. Therefore, if your credit rating is low, you could save money insuring your by repairing your credit.
  • Traffic violations increase rates – Even a single citation can increase rates twenty percent or more. Good drivers have lower premiums than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • Safe vehicles cost less to insure – Safer cars tend to have better insurance rates. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates into savings for insurance companies and thus lower rates.

Verify you’re getting all your discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down both the well known and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • Student in College – Youth drivers living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
  • Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
  • Club Memberships – Being a member of a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for auto insurance.
  • Life Insurance Discount – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
  • No Charge for an Accident – A handful of insurance companies will forgive one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.

Keep in mind that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn’t work that way.car insurance image

Misconceptions in auto insurance advertisements

Consumers in Oklahoma get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. They all seem to have a common claim of big savings if you change your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money?

All companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk might be between the ages of 40 and 55, insures multiple vehicles, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

Consumers who are not a match for the requirements will have to pay more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, you need to compare many company’s rates. You cannot predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

When should I talk to an agent?

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions could help you determine if you will benefit from professional help.

  • Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
  • What are the best liability limits?
  • Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
  • How high should my medical payments coverage be?
  • Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
  • When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.

Learn more about auto insurance in Oklahoma

Additional detailed information is available at the Oklahoma Insurance Department website. Consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and find a variety of consumer forms.

More related Shawnee auto insurance information:

Final considerations

Cheaper auto insurance is possible online in addition to many Shawnee insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance providers do not provide online quoting and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don’t sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your focus should be to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.