Easy Methods to Save Money on Youngstown Ohio Car Insurance

Finding better rates for Youngstown car insurance can seem to be hard for people who are new to buying insurance online. There are so many options available that it can quickly become a challenge to compare prices in Youngstown.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the factors that help determine your car insurance rates. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that could result in big savings.

The following are some of the items car insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

Having a spouse can save you money – Having a spouse can get you a discount on your car insurance policy. It usually means you are more mature and responsible and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
Your location is important – Residing in a small town can be a good thing when buying car insurance. Urban drivers have much more traffic and longer commute times. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.
Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as doctors, executives and accountants tend to have higher rates than average due to job stress and long work days. On the flip side, professions such as pilots, athletes and homemakers receive lower rates.
Protect yourself with liability coverage – The liability section of your policy provides coverage when you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not cut corners here.
Do you know you’re credit rating? – Your credit history is a big factor in your rate calculation. Therefore, if your credit rating is not that good, you could potentially save money when insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure than those with lower credit scores.
Lower rates with optional equipment – Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Theft prevention devices like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can thwart car theft.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but discounts can save money and there are some available that many people don’t even know exist. Some discounts apply automatically at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for in order for you to get them. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of more than 20%.
Good Students Pay Less – This discount can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you until age 25.
Sign Online – Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Defensive Driver – Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could cut 5% off your bill depending on where you live.
Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with one company you may save 10% to 20% off each policy.
Multi-car Discount – Having more than one vehicle on one policy qualifies for this discount.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you could get a free car insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your premiums.

Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent

Some consumers just want to sit down with an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Agents can point out coverage gaps and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is you may find the lowest rates but also keep your business local. Supporting local businesses is definitely important in Youngstown.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your insurance coverage information gets sent to insurance agents in Youngstown who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. It doesn’t get any easier!

How to choose the best auto insurance agent in Youngstown

When researching a good insurance agency, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents to choose from. Agents are either independent or captive. While both can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different since it may influence the selection process.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices. Many write coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage. compare rates in Youngstown OH

Shown below is a list of independent agencies in Youngstown that are able to give rate quotes.

Eich Brothers Insurance – 4411 Market St – Youngstown, OH 44512 – (330) 788-4071
Agler Insurance – 4491 Mahoning Ave – Youngstown, OH 44515 – (330) 793-3866
Elaine Schuller Agency – 5437 Mahoning Ave – Youngstown, OH 44515 – (330) 779-0721
D A Cretella Agency – 38 S State St – Youngstown, OH 44515 – (330) 792-4040
Austin Agency – 110 Javit Ct # A – Youngstown, OH 44515 – (330) 792-7651

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents can only place business with one company like State Farm, AAA and Liberty Mutual. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. They are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Shown below is a list of captive agencies in Youngstown who can help you get comparison quotes.

American Family Insurance – 374 Boardman Poland Rd – Youngstown, OH 44512 – (330) 758-5753
State Farm Insurance – 1295 Boardman Canfield Rd # 1b – Youngstown, OH 44512 – (330) 758-8884
Allstate Insurance Co – 8162 Market St # E – Youngstown, OH 44512 – (330) 726-0504

To view a full list of captive agents in Youngstown, visit this site.

Deciding on an insurance agency requires more thought than just a cheap price. Here are some questions to ask:

Can glass repairs be made at your home?
If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
Does the agency support the community they serve?
Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?

After getting positive responses to your questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different.

For example, these questions might point out whether you could use an agent’s help.

Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Ohio?
What are the best liability limits?
Does having multiple vehicles earn me a discount?
What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

More information is available on the Ohio Department of Insurance website through this link. Ohio consumers can view a list of available companies, file complaints about a company, and get help finding coverage.

The following information may also be useful.

New Methods for Paying Less for on Youngstown, OH Auto Insurance

A tidy conclusion

While you’re price shopping online, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. Too many times, an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. Your strategy should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Drivers leave their current company for a number of reasons such as an unsatisfactory settlement offer, questionable increases in premium, lack of trust in their agent and policy cancellation. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new car insurance company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.

We just covered a lot of information how to get a better price on car insurance. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the most savings is with a smaller regional carrier.