Insider Advice on Saving Money on Santa Rosa Car Insurance

Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy overpriced car insurance? Believe me, you’re not the only one.

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

It’s important to compare rates at least once a year because prices are usually higher with each renewal. If you had the best deal last year you can probably find a lower rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to how to use online quotes to get good coverage at a lower rate.

Free Santa Rosa Car Insurance Quotes

There are several ways you can shop for car insurance and some are easier and takes less work. You can waste a lot of time talking about coverages with insurance agencies in Santa Rosa, or you could save time and use the web to maximize your effort.

Many companies belong to an insurance system that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and each participating company returns a competitive quote based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each company.

To compare pricing click here to open in new window.

The one disadvantage to pricing coverage this way is that you can’t choose which insurance companies you want to price. So if you want to choose specific insurance companies for rate comparison, we have a page of the cheapest car insurance companies in California. Click to view list.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you’re using exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits for every quote you compare. If you have different limits and deductibles on each one it’s impossible to determine the lowest rate in Santa Rosa. Slightly different insurance coverages could mean much higher rates. And when comparing car insurance rates, know that getting more free quotes will increase your chances of finding the best offered rates.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both well-publicized and also the lesser-known car insurance savings.

• Senior Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive reduced rates.
• Safe Driver Discount – Safe drivers may save up to 50% more than less cautious drivers.
• Good Students Pay Less – Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
• Multiple Cars – Insuring all your vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
• Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
• Homeowners Pay Less – Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home shows financial diligence.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings up to 30%.
• Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way.

For a list of insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in California, click here to view.

Neighborhood insurance agents

A small number of people would prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is OK! The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the lowest rates but also keep your business local.

After completing this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is submitted to local insurance agents in Santa Rosa who will compete for your business. There is no reason to even leave your home as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How cool is that?! You can find the lowest rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.

Selecting an insurance company should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. These are valid questions to ask:

• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
• Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?

If you want to contact a specific insurance agent in Santa Rosa, go to this page.

Once you have received positive responses to all your questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, most likely you have located a company that will adequately provide car insurance.

What impacts Santa Rosa insurance rates?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get lower car insurance prices.

The list below includes some of the factors companies use to determine your rates.

• How credit affects car insurance rates – A driver’s credit history is a big factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. So if your credit is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your rating. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower credit scores.
• Extra coverages can waste money – There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that you can buy on your car insurance policy. Coverages for roadside assistance, towing coverage and term life insurance are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment when talking to your agent, but if they’re wasting money eliminate them to save money.
• Claim-free discounts can add up – If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance companies in California give cheaper rates to drivers who are claim-free. Your insurance policy is meant to be used in the event of major claims that would cause financial hardship.
• Where you live can impact rates – Being located in small towns and rural areas is a positive aspect when insuring your vehicles. Drivers in populated areas have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Fewer people means reduced accidents and a lower car theft rate.

Don’t be fooled by advertising claims

Car insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on TV and radio. They all make the same claim about savings if you move to them. How can each company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

All companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a profitable customer could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, owns a home, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Potential insureds who are not a match for this ideal profile will be charged higher premiums and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently advertise the savings. That is why drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It’s not possible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Online plus local equals savings

When you buy insurance online, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, an insured cut full coverage only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

The cheapest car insurance can be found online as well as from independent agents in Santa Rosa, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

Additional detailed information is located at the California Department of Insurance website. Consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, find out which companies have the most complaints, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and view a list of available companies.

The following articles may also be useful.

• Santa Rosa, CA Car Insurance Agent Information