Ultimate Techniques for the Cheapest Wilmington, DE Auto Insurance

Have you had enough of paying out the nose to insure your vehicles every month? You are no different than many other drivers in Delaware.

Many car insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare car insurance companies and uncover the absolute best rate

Learn How to Lower your Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the factors that go into determining your auto insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

• Where you live can impact rates – Residing in small towns and rural areas can save you money when insuring your vehicles. Drivers in populated areas have traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Less people living in that area means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate.
• Clean credit earns discounts – Credit score is a huge factor in determining your rates. If your credit history is lower than you’d like, you could be paying less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with poor credit.
• Please use or commuting – The more you drive in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
• Bump up deductibles to save – Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, is used to repair damage to your car. A few examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. Physical damage deductibles are how much you are required to spend before your auto insurance pays a claim. The more you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
• Is your vehicle built for speed? – The performance level of the car you are insuring makes a big difference in your rates. The lowest base rates tend to be for low performance passenger vehicles, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Younger drivers pay higher rates – Youthful drivers in Delaware are statistically proven to get distracted easily behind the wheel so auto insurance rates are higher. If you’ve ever had to add a youthful driver onto your auto insurance can be very expensive. Older drivers are more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel.
• Do men or women drive better? – Statistics demonstrate that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. They both have accidents at about the same rate, but the males cause more damage. They also have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving. Young males are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
• Theft deterrents lower rates – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Theft prevention features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar all hinder auto theft.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Companies offering auto insurance do not list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.

• Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
• Pay Upfront and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
• Seat Belts Save – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
• Paperwork-free – Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy digitally online.
• Multi-policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver’s ed class if it’s offered in school.
• Safe Drivers – Safe drivers can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than less cautious drivers.
• New Car Discount – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can save up to 30% due to better safety requirements for new cars.

It’s important to understand that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won’t be that lucky.

To see a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates in Delaware, click here to view.

Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?

Some consumers prefer to sit down with an agent. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

After filling out this short form, your insurance data is emailed to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your business. You won’t need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. It doesn’t get any easier! You can find the lowest rates and work with a local agent.

Deciding on a company needs to be determined by more than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

• Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Delaware?
• Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
• Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?

Compare rates from both independent and captive auto insurance agents

When searching for a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of agencies from which to choose. Agencies in Wilmington are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Agency Captives

Captive agencies work for only one company and examples are Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so always compare other rates. They are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

Listed below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Wilmington who can help you get price quote information.

Allstate Insurance – 3648 Silverside Rd – Wilmington, DE 19810 – (302) 478-8080
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 1011 Centre Rd # 400 – Wilmington, DE 19805 – (302) 993-0500
State Farm Insurance – 1033 N Lincoln St # 400 – Wilmington, DE 19805 – (302) 656-3557

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.

When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include price quotes from multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.

Shown below is a list of independent insurance agents in Wilmington that can give you comparison quotes.

Nationwide Insurance – 126 Senatorial Dr # B – Wilmington, DE 19807 – (302) 654-0347
Concord Agency Inc – 3520 Silverside Rd # 27 – Wilmington, DE 19810 – (302) 478-4000
Hudson Insurance Group – 300 Martin Luther King Blvd – Wilmington, DE 19801 – (302) 654-2590

For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Wilmington, view this link.

After receiving positive responses to any questions you have in addition to an acceptable price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that can adequately provide auto insurance.

Are you falling for claims of savings?

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to make an identical promise that you’ll save big after switching to them. But how can every company say the same thing?

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” receives the best rates and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.

Drivers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile will be quoted a higher premium and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why it is so important to get quotes from several different companies. Because you never know which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

You are unique and your auto insurance should be too

When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions could help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.

• Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
• What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
• Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
• Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
• Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
• Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?

If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

Even more information can be read at the Delaware Department of Insurance website. Delaware consumers can discover disciplinary actions, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, read consumer alerts, and file complaints about a company.

Other useful links include this site for auto insurance rates in Delaware and this page of insurance agents in Wilmington.

And the best car insurance company is…

Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Wilmington, so compare prices from both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are a lot of situations where someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to get the best coverage possible at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.