Proven Techniques for Buying Cheaper Meridian Auto Insurance

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can drain your bank account and force you to make sacrifices. Comparison shopping is a smart way to slash your bill and have more diposable income.

With so many options when it comes to auto insurance, it can be challenging to pick the right insurance company.

It’s smart to compare rates occasionally because prices are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Just because you found the best rates on your last policy the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance on the internet, so with this article, you’re going to get some guaranteed methods to quit paying high auto insurance rates.

More discounts equal less premium

Auto insurance companies do not advertise all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both well-publicized and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings.

• Paperwork-free – Certain companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
• Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
• Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
• No Claims – Good drivers with no accidents pay less as compared to frequent claim filers.
• Distant Student – Any of your kids who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
• Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of more than 20%.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Companies who offer life insurance give better rates if you take out life insurance.

Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. So when it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.

To see a list of companies offering auto insurance discounts in Mississippi, click here to view.

Compare Meridian Auto Insurance Costs

Most companies provide prices for coverage on the web. Getting online rates doesn’t take much effort as you just enter the coverages you want into the quote form. After you submit the form their rating system will obtain your driving record and credit report and returns a price quote. This makes comparing rates easy, but having to visit a lot of sites and type in the same information can be a bit tiresome and repetitive. But it’s absolutely necessary to compare as many rates as possible in order to find the lowest price.

Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?

The quickest way to get multiple rate quotes utilizes a single form to obtain quotes from several companies at one time. This type of form saves time, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes quoting online a little more enjoyable. Immediately after submitting the form, it is quoted with multiple companies and you can pick any or none of the quotes returned. If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, you can simply submit the application and buy the new coverage. The whole process just takes a couple of minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.

To quickly compare pricing, click here to open in a new tab and enter your vehicle and coverage information. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended that you enter the limits and deductibles identical to your current policy. This way, you’re receiving a rate comparison for exact coverage.

Buy Cheaper Auto Insurance with These Tips

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Understanding what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

• Occupation reflects on rates – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Careers like judges, business owners and stock brokers tend to pay the highest rates attributed to high stress levels and long work hours. On the other hand, occupations such as actors, students and homemakers have the lowest average rates.
• Never allow your policy to lapse – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a quick way to bump up your auto insurance costs. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance can result in a revoked license or a big fine.
• Liability coverage is peace of mind – Your policy’s liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if you are found liable for damages from an accident. Liability insurance provides legal defense starting from day one. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so buy as much as you can afford.
• Safer cars cost less to insure – Safer cars get lower rates. Safer cars protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates.
• Lower miles equals lower premium – Driving more miles in a year’s time the higher your rate. The majority of insurers charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars left parked in the garage receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Make sure your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
• Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs – Companies in Mississippi provide better rates to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to higher rates. Car insurance is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
• Tickets mean higher rates – Your driving citation history has a lot to do with how much you pay for insurance. Careful drivers receive lower rates compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Drivers who have flagrant citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.

What happened to insurance agents?

A small number of people prefer to sit down with an agent and that is a personal choice. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you can get better rates but also keep your business local.

To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents in Meridian who will battle to get your business. You won’t need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to your email. How cool is that?! You can find better rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.

Picking an insurance company should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
• Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
• How long has their agency been open in Meridian?

Two different types of insurance agencies

When searching for a good insurance agency, there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Meridian are classified as either independent or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies can only write with one company and examples are State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. Captive agents are well schooled in insurance sales which can be an advantage.

Below are captive agents in Meridian willing to provide rate quotes.

Shelter Insurance – 3401 N Hills St # B1 – Meridian, MS 39305 – (601) 485-9604
State Farm Insurance – 1410 14th St # B – Meridian, MS 39301 – (601) 482-2911

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to get quotes from multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.

The following are independent insurance agencies in Meridian that can give you rate quotes.

Direct General Ins Agency – 1300 14th St # B – Meridian, MS 39301 – (601) 693-8444
Cullum Insurance Agency – 2008 Mosby Rd – Meridian, MS 39307 – (601) 482-8896
John Stone Agency Inc – 2011 23rd Ave – Meridian, MS 39301 – (601) 693-7594
Insurance You Can Afford – 2211 Highway 45 N # G – Meridian, MS 39301 – (601) 696-7000
Sandra Little Insurance – 2211 Highway 45 N # 1 – Meridian, MS 39301 – (601) 482-8109

For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Meridian, please view this page.

After getting answers to your satisfaction to your questions and locked in a price quote, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to properly service your auto insurance policy.

A little work can save a LOT of money

While you’re price shopping online, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, an accident victim reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Meridian insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

For more Mississippi auto insurance information

Even more information is located at the Mississippi Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, download brochures, find out which companies have the most complaints, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Additional helpful sites include Wikipedia and this list of agents in Meridian, MS.