Spending Too Much for Car Insurance in Princeton? Here’s How to Save!

Searching for the cheapest Princeton car insurance on the internet is impossible for consumers new to shopping for insurance online. Because there are so many insurance companies available, how can Princeton drivers have a chance to compare them all to find the best price?

You need to get comparison quotes at least once a year because prices change quite often. Despite the fact that you may have had the best deal last year there may be better deals available now. There is too much inaccurate information about car insurance on the web, but we’re going to give you some great ideas on how to find affordable car insurance.

Take discounts and save

Companies that sell car insurance don’t list all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the best known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

• Senior Citizens – Older drivers may receive reduced rates.
• Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
• One Accident Forgiven – Certain companies permit an accident without raising rates as long as you don’t have any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
• Paperless Signup – A handful of insurance companies will give a small break just for signing your application on their website.
• Distant Student – Children living away from home attending college and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you’re out of luck.

To see a list of providers who offer car insurance discounts in West Virginia, click here to view.

Comprehensive Princeton Car Insurance Comparison Quotes

Shopping for lower car insurance rates can be a daunting task if you don’t utilize the fastest way to get free quotes. You can waste hours discussing policy coverages with agents in Princeton, or you could use online quoting to get prices fast.

Many of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to complete one form, and at least one company can provide price quotes based on the submitted data. This saves time by eliminating form submissions to each company. To find out what other companies charge click to open in new window.

The one downside to using this type of form is you are unable to specify which insurance companies you want to price. So if you prefer to choose specific providers to request quotes from, we have a page of the cheapest car insurance companies in West Virginia. Click to view list.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use exactly the same coverage information with every price quote. If each company quotes different deductibles it’s impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Princeton. Slightly different coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. Just keep in mind that getting more free quotes helps locate a better price.

Why your price might be higher

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that could result in big savings.

• Your stress level may be raising your rates – Jobs such as judges, architects and stock brokers have the highest rates attributed to job stress and lengthy work days. On the other hand, jobs such as farmers, students and retirees get better rates.
• One company can mean more discounts – Some insurance companies will give a discount to policyholders who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount it’s in your best interest to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal.
• Bump up deductibles to save – Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your car. Some examples of claims that would be covered are colliding with a building, collision with an animal, and rolling your vehicle. Your deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more money the insured has to pay upfront, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
• Where do you drive? – The more miles you rack up on your car in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage receive lower rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your car insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven, because improper ratings can cost you money.
• Performance makes a difference – The performance level of the car you drive makes a substantial difference in the rate you pay. Lower performance four cylinder passenger models generally receive the lowest base rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Where you live – Choosing to live in less populated areas can save you money when buying car insurance. City drivers have to deal with traffic congestion and much longer commute distances. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident.
• Do you need the policy add-ons? – There are a lot of add-on coverages you can purchase if you aren’t careful. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, better glass coverage and motor club memberships are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment at first, but if you don’t need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
• Poor credit can mean higher rates – Credit score is a large factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. Drivers who have high credit scores tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. So if your credit rating is low, you could be paying less to insure your by repairing your credit.

You are unique and your car insurance should be too

When buying adequate coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.

For instance, these questions might help in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.

• Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
• When would I need rental car insurance?
• Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
• Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
• What are the financial responsibility laws in West Virginia?
• When should I remove comp and collision on my vehicle?
• How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?

Certain consumers would prefer to buy from a licensed agent and that is a personal choice. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you may find lower rates and still choose a local agent.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, the quote information is sent to participating agents in Princeton who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. How’s that for easy! You can find better rates AND a local agent.

Picking an insurer requires more thought than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

• Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
• How often do they review policy coverages?
• Can they give you a list of client referrals?
• If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in West Virginia?

Is a captive or independent insurance agent right for you?

If you’re trying to find a local agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Princeton agents are categorized either independent or captive.

Captive Agents

Captive insurance agents write business for a single company such as AAA, Allstate and State Farm. They are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents receive extensive training in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers frequently buy insurance from these agents partially due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Listed below are Princeton captive insurance agents who can help you get rate quotes.

• State Farm Insurance – 221 S Walker St – Princeton, WV 24740 – (304) 425-6664
• Allstate Insurance – 200 S Walker St – Princeton, WV 24740 – (304) 425-1076

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies without you having to go to a different agency. When comparing rates, we recommend you include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from. Many write coverage with smaller companies which can save you money.

Below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Princeton willing to provide rate quotes.

• Mercer Insurance Assoc – 319 Oakvale Rd # A – Princeton, WV 24740 – (304) 425-8000
• Insurance Store – 210 1021 Stafford Dr – Princeton, WV 24740 – (304) 325-2160
• Sam Baker Agency – 127 Brick St – Princeton, WV 24740 – (304) 431-7283
• Sam Baker Agency – 5-Star Food Mark – Princeton, WV 24740 – (304) 425-7283

To view a full list of car insurance agents in Princeton, simply jump to this page.

Upon receiving answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide car insurance.

Beware of misleading car insurance ads

Allstate, GEICO and Progressive regularly use ads in print and on television. All the companies say the same thing that you’ll save big if you move your coverage to them. How do they all say the same thing?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between 25 and 40, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.

Consumers who don’t meet this ideal profile must pay more money and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much. That is how companies can make those claims. This illustrates why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. Because you never know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

And the best car insurance company is…

We just covered many ideas to get a better price on car insurance. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Consumers could even find that the best prices are with some of the smallest insurance companies.

Affordable car insurance is definitely available online and also from your neighborhood Princeton agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced full coverage and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

Learn more about car insurance in West Virginia

Even more information is available at the West Virginia Insurance Commission website. West Virginia consumers can get help finding coverage, view a list of available companies, and read state legal mandates and laws.

Additional helpful sites include this page for car insurance in West Virginia and QuoteClickSave.com.