Things You Must Know Before Buying Ridgefield Auto Insurance Online

I can’t think of a single person who likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof.

Online insurance companies like State Farm and GEICO all claim big savings with fancy advertisements and it can be hard to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

Consumers should take time to get comparison quotes at least once a year because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates six months ago you can probably find a lower rate today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to one of the quickest ways to save money, get proper deductibles and limits, all at the lowest rate.

How to Compare Auto Insurance Quotes in Ridgefield, Connecticut

Effectively comparing auto insurance prices can be challenging if you don’t utilize the fastest way to get free quotes. You can waste a lot of time driving to insurance agencies in Ridgefield, or you could save time and use online quotes to get prices fast.

Most major companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to submit their information once, and each participating company returns a competitive quote determined by their information. This eliminates the need for quotation requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click to open in new window.

The one downside to doing it this way is you can’t choose which insurance companies to get quotes from. If you would rather choose from a list of companies to compare, we put together a list of companies who write auto insurance in Connecticut. Click here for list of insurance companies in Connecticut.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you’re using identical coverage information with each company. If each company quotes differing limits it will be next to impossible to determine the lowest rate in Ridgefield. Slightly different coverages may result in large price differences. Keep in mind that quoting more provides better odds of finding a lower rate.

Don’t be fooled by advertising claims

State Farm and Allstate regularly use ads in print and on television. All the companies make the same claim that you’ll save big if you move your policy. How can each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer might be over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any driver who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and therefore will pay quite a bit less when switching companies. Auto insurance in Connecticut

Drivers who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher premiums which leads to business going elsewhere. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, it’s extremely important to get as many quotes as possible. Because you never know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

You have some control over your rates

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as doctors, executives and financial analysts have higher average rates in part from high stress and lengthy work days. Conversely, professions such as pilots, engineers and homemakers get better rates.
Don’t skimp on liability – Liability insurance is the protection when a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Adjust deductibles and save – Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, insures against damage to your car. Examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, damage from fire, and burglary. The higher the amount you’re willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Careful drivers pay lower rates – Your driving citation history has a big impact on rates. Just one moving violation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have dangerous citations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to file a SR-22 with the DMV in their state in order to prevent a license revocation.
Mature drivers pay less – Older drivers tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets. Young drivers are statistically proven to be less responsible behind the wheel therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
Add-on coverages can add up – There are a ton of additional coverages you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Coverages like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and motor club memberships may be wasting your money. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if you don’t need them get rid of them and save.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but discounts can save money and there are some available that many people don’t even know exist. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked for prior to getting the savings.

Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
Student in College – Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
Defensive Driving Course – Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house in Ridgefield may earn you a small savings because of the fact that having a home is proof that your finances are in order.
Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with lower rates if you buy life insurance.
New Car Discount – Insuring a new car can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
Multi-policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with one company you could get a discount of approximately 10% to 15%.
Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can reduce accidents and will save you 10% or more.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will reduce your overall premium however.

For a list of insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Ridgefield, click here.

But I don’t know anything about car insurance

When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether you would benefit from professional advice.

Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Connecticut?
Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
Am I covered when driving a rental car?
Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

Buying auto insurance from a local agent

Some consumers prefer to buy from a local agent and that is OK! The best thing about comparing rates online is that you can obtain better rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting local businesses is important especially in Ridgefield.

To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is emailed to insurance agents in Ridgefield who will return price quotes for your coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy! You can find the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Shown below is a list of insurance companies in Ridgefield who can help you get comparison quotes.

Carnall Insurance Inc – 401 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 438-0404
Allstate Insurance Co – 716 Danbury Rd # 2, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 431-1888
John M Glover Agency Inc – 360 Main St, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 894-8201
State Farm Insurance – 370 Ethan Allen Hwy, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 438-5311
Ridgefield Insurance – 80 Ashbee Ln, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 431-0080
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 590 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877 – (203) 431-1932

Choosing an insurance company requires more thought than just a cheap price. Here are some questions to ask:

Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
How long has their agency been open in Ridgefield?
Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?

Once you have acceptable answers to any questions you have and locked in a price quote, most likely you have located an provider that meets your needs to service your policy.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

We’ve covered a lot of tips how to compare auto insurance prices online. The key concept to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may discover the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies. They can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than their larger competitors like State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.

When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don’t reduce needed coverages to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to regret they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Learn more about Connecticut auto insurance

Additional auto insurance information is available on the website for the Connecticut Insurance Department found here. Connecticut consumers can find out industry alerts, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about a company.