Ultimate Strategies for Cheaper Dunwoody, GA Auto Insurance

Nobody I know likes paying for auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high. Lots of insurance companies contend for your hard-earned dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates to find the best rate

Finding Auto Insurance in Dunwoody, Georgia

There are a lot of ways to compare auto insurance prices but one way is more efficient than others. You could waste a few hours talking to insurance companies in Dunwoody, or you could use online quoting to maximize your effort.

The majority of car insurance companies participate in a marketplace where prospective buyers enter their coverage request one time, and at least one company then gives them pricing based on the submitted data. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for each company you want a rate for.

To submit your quote information now, click here (opens in new window).

The one downside to using this type of system is that consumers can’t choose which carriers to get pricing from. So if you want to choose specific providers to compare, we have assembled a list of auto insurance companies in Georgia. Click to view list.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just make darn sure you compare apples-to-apples coverages for each comparison quote. If you compare mixed coverages it will be very difficult to truly determine the lowest rate in Dunwoody.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Most are applied at the time you complete a quote, but less common discounts must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Drivers Ed for Students – Require your teen driver to complete a driver education course in school.
• Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
• Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Fewer annual miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
• Pay Now and Pay Less – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
• Discount for Good Grades – This discount can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts well after school through age 25.
• Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Larger companies have lower rates if you buy auto and life insurance together.
• College Student – Kids in college living away from home attending college and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can avoid accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Employee of Federal Government – Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.

It’s important to understand that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Georgia, click this link.

Smart Consumers Save More

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that play a part in calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are a few of the “ingredients” used by your company to calculate rates.

• Your occupation can affect rates – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Jobs such as judges, business owners and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates due to job stress and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, professions such as farmers, engineers and performers have the lowest average rates.
• More than one policy can earn a discount – Many insurers provide better rates to customers who have multiple policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, you still need to compare rates to ensure the best deal.
• Your location affects your rates – Residing in less populated areas has it’s advantages when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. City drivers regularly have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
• Better credit means lower rates – Having a bad credit score is a huge factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Drivers with excellent credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers who have poor credit. Therefore, if your credit history is low, you could potentially save money when insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit.
• Marriage pays dividends – Getting married actually saves money when buying auto insurance. Having a spouse is viewed as being more mature and responsible and statistics show married drivers get in fewer accidents.
• Don’t skimp on liability – Liability coverage will protect you if ever a jury decides you are liable for damages caused by your negligence. Liability insurance provides legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
• Never go without insurance – Driving without insurance is against the law and you will pay a penalty because you let your insurance expire. And not only will insurance be more expensive, getting caught without coverage may earn you a revoked license or a big fine.You may need to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Georgia department of motor vehicles.

When might I need an agent?

When buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you may require specific advice.

• Should I buy only the required Georgia minimum liability coverage?
• Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
• Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
• Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
• What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
• Is Georgia a no-fault state?
• Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?

If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

Additional information is available on the website for the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner located here. Consumers can find out industry alerts, view a list of available companies, get help finding coverage, and read state legal mandates and laws.

Other informative sites include this link for Georgia coverage information and CarInsuranceDIY.com.

Do drivers who switch really save?

Georgia consumers can’t get away from ads that promise big savings from companies such as Allstate and Progressive. All the ads have a common claim about savings if you change your policy.

How does each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer could be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.

Consumers who fall outside this ideal profile will have to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with business not being written. The ads state “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can make those claims.

Because of the profiling, drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It is impossible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Better coverage you can count on

The cheapest auto insurance can be bought both online in addition to many Dunwoody insurance agents, so compare prices from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies do not provide online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When buying insurance coverage, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.