Tightwads Guide for Saving on Oklahoma City, OK Car Insurance

Have you fallen victim to an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out.

Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive continually bombard you with TV and radio ads and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the propoganda and take the time to shop coverage around.

It is always a good idea to shop coverage around every six months because rates are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you think you had the best rates on your last policy you can probably find a better price now. So just ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn how to use online quotes to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using this strategy. Buying car insurance in Oklahoma City is easy if you know what you’re doing. But Oklahoma drivers must learn the way companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Automobile Insurance Quotes in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Shopping for lower car insurance rates can be a lot of work if you aren’t aware of the fastest way to get free quotes. You can waste a lot of time driving to agents in Oklahoma City, or you could save time and use the internet to get the quickest rates.

Many insurance companies participate in a marketplace where prospective buyers submit their information once, and every company provides a quote based on that data. This eliminates the need for quotation requests to each individual car insurance company.

To compare rates using this form now click here (opens in new window).

One minor caviat to doing it this way is you don’t know exactly the insurers you will receive quotes from. If you would rather choose specific providers to compare, we have a listing of car insurance companies in Oklahoma. Click here to view list.

Whichever method you choose, make sure you use identical coverages with every price quote. If you are comparing different deductibles you will not be able to determine the best price in Oklahoma City. Just a small difference in coverages may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that comparing more company’s prices will improve the odds of getting a better price.

Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be requested specifically before being credited.

• Pay Now and Pay Less – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can reduce accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Driver Safety – Taking part in a driver safety course could cut 5% off your bill and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accidents.
• Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
• Accident Free – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less when compared with accident-prone drivers.
• 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.
• Senior Citizens – Older drivers may be able to get reduced rates.

Keep in mind that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you won’t be that lucky. But all discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

For a list of insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in Oklahoma City, click this link.

Informed Drivers can Cut Their Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for car insurance. Understanding what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to better car insurance rates.

• Careful drivers pay lower rates – Your driving record has a big impact on rates. Even a single moving violation can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Careful drivers tend to pay less for car insurance than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
• Never allow your policy to lapse – Driving your car without having proper coverage is illegal and car insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage have a gap. And not only will insurance be more expensive, getting caught without coverage can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
• Consolidate policies to earn discounts – Some insurers will give a discount to policyholders who consolidate policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, you may still want to compare other company rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
• Discounts for married couples – Being married can get you a discount on car insurance. Marriage usually means you are more mature and responsible and it’s proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
• Do you have enough liability coverage? – Your policy’s liability coverage will protect you if ever you are found to be at fault for personal injury or accident damage. It provides for a legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive as compared to coverage for physical damage, so do not skimp.

Insurance agents can help

When choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions might point out whether or not you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
• Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
• What are the best liability limits?
• How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Oklahoma?
• Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
• Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
• Can I still get insurance after a DUI?
• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
• Is pleasure use cheaper than using my vehicle to commute?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.

More information can be read on the website for the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Click here for link. Oklahoma consumers can file complaints about a company, get help finding coverage, and read state legal mandates and laws.

Additional helpful sites include this site for car insurance rates in Oklahoma and this list of insurance agents in Oklahoma City, OK.

Ads can be misleading

Companies like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. All the ads say the same thing that you’ll save big if you switch to their company. But how can every company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between 25 and 40, owns a home, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Consumers who do not match the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher rates which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why you should get as many quotes as possible. It’s not possible to predict which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

A tidy conclusion

When trying to cut insurance costs, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, someone dropped full coverage and found out when filing a claim that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The proper strategy is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

Cost effective car insurance is attainable online in addition to many Oklahoma City insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.