Proven Techniques for Cheap Broken Arrow Auto Insurance

Are you tired of not being able to afford to pay your car insurance bill each month? You are no different than millions of other consumers.

Having so many companies and agents to choose from, it’s nearly impossible to choose the most affordable car insurance company.

You need to compare prices before your policy renews because prices are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. If you had the lowest price on your last policy you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance online, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn the easiest ways to find cheap auto insurance.

Why you might pay higher rates in Broken Arrow

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that can help you get big savings.

Listed below are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.

• With age comes lower rates – Older insureds are more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations. Young drivers have a tendency to get distracted easily when behind the wheel and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
• High numbers of claims are not good – Companies in Oklahoma provide discounts to people who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
• Where you reside plays a part – Residing in a rural area is a positive aspect when it comes to auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas tend to have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident.
• Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
• Protect yourself with liability coverage – Liability insurance will protect you when you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
• Multiple policies with one company can save – Some auto insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who consolidate policies with them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, you may still want to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still find a better deal by buying insurance from more than one company.
• Low deductibles can be expensive – Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims are running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. Your deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket before a claim is paid by your company. The more you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
• Never allow your policy to lapse – Letting your insurance expire is a quick way to increase your auto insurance rates. Not only will you pay more, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a steep fine or even jail time.

How much can you save with discounts?

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you get a quote, but a few must be specifically requested before they will apply.

• Defensive Driver – Taking a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill depending on where you live.
• Student Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in high school.
• 55 and Retired – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
• Anti-theft Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more.
• Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for multiple vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
• Accident Waiver – Certain companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount will cut your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Broken Arrow, follow this link.

Are insurance agents obsolete?

Some consumers would prefer to get advice from a local agent. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you may find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. And providing support for local agencies is important especially in Broken Arrow.

Once you complete this quick form, the coverage information is submitted to agents in your area who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier! You can find better rates and work with a local agent.

Captive or Independent: There is a difference

When looking for an insurance agent, there are a couple of different types of agents to choose from. Agencies in Broken Arrow can either be captive or independent.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.

Below is a short list of independent agencies in Broken Arrow willing to provide competitive price quotes.

Harmon Insurance – 800 S Elm Pl – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 251-2511
Mike Emerson Agency – 610 S Aspen Ave – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-5676
Sid Sidman Agency – 4902 W Kenosha St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 254-0125
Michael Ward Agency – 1008 N Hickory Ave – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-6611
Onebeacon Insurance Fka – 8282 S Memorial Dr – Broken Arrow, OK 74011 – (918) 459-7950

Captive Insurance Agents

These agents are contracted to one company like Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. These agents are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Broken Arrow who can help you get comparison quotes.

Farm Bureau Insurance – 801 N Elm Pl – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-6030
Farmers Insurance Group – 409 N Aspen Ave # 101 – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-1191
State Farm Insurance – 2001 W Washington St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 455-4567
Allstate Insurance – 300 N Main St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-8671
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 3762 S Elm Pl – Broken Arrow, OK 74011 – (918) 455-2943
Shelter Insurance – 1101 E Lansing St – Broken Arrow, OK 74012 – (918) 258-1700

To view a full list of Broken Arrow captive insurance agents, click here to link.

Choosing an insurance agent should depend on more than just the premium amount. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Are they full-time agents?
• Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
• If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
• What insurance companies do they work with?
• How are they compensated?
• Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
• Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?

After receiving satisfactory answers for all questions you ask as well as a affordable price, most likely you have located an insurance agency that can insure your vehicles.

Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?

Companies like Allstate and Progressive regularly use television and radio advertisements. All the ads make an identical promise about savings if you move your coverage to them. How does each company claim to save you money?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

Consumers who don’t measure up to the “perfect” profile will be charged higher premiums which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That is how companies can make those claims.

That is why you should compare many company’s rates. It’s impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Additional information can be found on the website for the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Click here for link. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, and discover disciplinary actions.

Other informative sites include this page for auto insurance prices in Oklahoma and this list of insurance agents in Broken Arrow.

In Summary

Throughout this article, we presented many ways to compare auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even discover the biggest savings come from some of the lesser-known companies. Smaller companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate or State Farm.

When you buy insurance online, never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.