Buy West Columbia South Carolina Auto Insurance Like a Penny-pincher

Nobody I know enjoys paying for auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high. With so many choices, it’s nearly impossible to find the lowest cost insurer.

Consumers should take time to take a look at other company’s rates at least once a year because insurance rates are constantly changing. Just because you had the lowest price on your last policy you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance online, so we’re going to give you some good information on how to save money.

Finding affordable coverage in West Columbia is not rocket science. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. South Carolina vehicle owners just need to learn the most efficient way to compare prices on the web.

What impacts West Columbia insurance rates?

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

Shown below are some of the factors companies use to determine prices.

Marriage brings a discount – Getting married can get you a discount on your policy. It is viewed as being more mature than a single person and it’s proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Teen drivers pay high rates – Youthful drivers in South Carolina are known to be careless and easily distracted behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. If you’ve ever had to add a youthful driver to your policy can really hurt. Older drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
Proper usage rating affects rates – Driving more miles every year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks left parked in the garage qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Keep rates low by being claim-free – Car insurance companies in South Carolina generally give cheaper rates to policyholders who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance coverage is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
Your occupation can affect rates – Did you know your occupation can influence how much you pay for auto insurance? Occupations like real estate brokers, executives and accountants tend to have higher rates than average attributed to high stress and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, occupations like scientists, athletes and performers receive lower rates.
Performance makes a difference – The performance of the car you are insuring makes a huge difference in your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger vehicles usually have the lowest rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
Protect your assets with liability insurance – The liability section of your policy will protect you when you are found to be at fault for damages from an accident. Liability provides legal defense coverage which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.

How to Get West Columbia Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes

Getting better auto insurance pricing is not rocket science. Just take a few minutes to get quotes online with multiple companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

One of the simplest ways to compare a lot of rates at once is a comparison rater form click here to open form in new window. This method saves time by eliminating boring form submissions for each company you want a rate for. Just one form will return price quotes from all major companies.
A slightly less efficient method to analyze rates is to take the time to go to the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For example, let’s say you want rates from Farmers, State Farm and Liberty Mutual. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker.
To view a list of companies in West Columbia, click here.
The least recommended way to compare rates is to waste gas driving to different West Columbia agent offices. The ability to buy insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you require the personal advice of a licensed agent. Drivers can compare the best prices online but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make darn sure you compare the exact same coverage information on every quote you get. If the quotes have mixed coverages it will be impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in West Columbia.

How much can you save with discounts?

Car insurance companies don’t always publicize every discount in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list both the well known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table. South Carolina auto insurance

Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more.
Sign Online – A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing on their website.
Employee of Federal Government – Simply working for the federal government can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
Multiple Policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with one insurance company you may save at least 10% off all policies.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. 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 insurers offering auto insurance discounts in South Carolina, follow this link.

Local West Columbia agents and auto insurance

Some people would rather talk to a local agent and that is OK! Licensed agents can help determine the best coverages and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this short form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to participating agents in West Columbia who will give you bids for your business. You never need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!

Deciding on an insurance company requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Some important questions to ask are:

Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in South Carolina?

Below is a list of insurers in West Columbia that are able to give price quotes.

Direct General Ins Agency – 2410 Augusta Hwy, West Columbia, SC 29169 – (803) 791-0657
Nationwide Insurance – 1055 Sunset Blvd # A, West Columbia, SC 29169 – (803) 794-0411
State Farm Insurance – 3042 Charleston Hwy, West Columbia, SC 29172 – (803) 939-0122
Allstate Insurance – 1904 Sunset Blvd # A, West Columbia, SC 29169 – (803) 796-9410
David Ward Insurance – 3119 Sierra Dr, West Columbia, SC 29170 – (803) 791-7864

After getting satisfactory answers to any questions you have and a good coverage price, chances are good that you have found a company that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.

What coverages do I need?

When buying the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions may help you determine if you might need professional guidance.

Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
Should I buy additional glass protection?
Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
Who is covered by my policy?
How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in South Carolina?
Is South Carolina a no-fault state?

If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina drivers can view agent and company licensing information, learn about specific coverages, report car insurance fraud, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

One last thing about your coverage

We just showed you quite a bit of information on how to reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the better your comparison will be. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. Smaller companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like Progressive and GEICO.

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford.