Easy Ways to Save Money on Vancouver Auto Insurance

If online auto insurance comparisons are new to you, you may be overwhelmed by the large number of online auto insurance companies and websites all offering big savings in Vancouver.

Smart consumers take time to price shop coverage periodically due to the fact that insurance rates tend to go up over time. Even if you got the best price a year ago there may be better deals available now. There is too much inaccurate information about auto insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn some great ways to reduce your auto insurance bill.

Smart Buyers can Save Money

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

How your age affects price – More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and get fewer tickets. Youthful drivers have a tendency to be more careless when driving therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
Choose a safe vehicle and save – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and thus lower rates.
No coverage gaps is important – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a guaranteed way to pay more for auto insurance. Not only will you pay more, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.You may have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Washington motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
Small claims can cost you – Car insurance companies in Washington award better rates to drivers who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for larger claims.
Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Occupations like real estate brokers, executives and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates due to high stress and lengthy work days. Other occupations such as scientists, historians and the unemployed have the lowest average rates.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at quote time, but some may not be applied and must be specifically requested before they will apply.

New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
Paperless Signup – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy digitally online.
Multi-car Discount – Having more than one vehicle on the same auto insurance policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles can qualify you for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off depending on your company.
Club Memberships – Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break on auto insurance.

Keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like you can get free auto insurance, companies don’t profit that way. But any discount will reduce the amount you have to pay.

Do drivers who switch really save?

State Farm and Allstate consistently run ads in print and on television. All the companies say the same thing that you can save if you change to their company. But how can every company make the same claim?

Different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and has a short commute. Any driver who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential customers who do not match the requirements will be quoted more money and ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. This is how companies can advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why you should get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Your coverage should be tailored to you

When choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For example, these questions could help you determine whether you will benefit from professional help.

Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
Am I getting all the discounts available?
Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
When would I need rental car insurance?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

Learn more about Washington auto insurance

Much more information about auto insurance in Washington can be read on the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website located here. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read state legal mandates and laws.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

The cheapest auto insurance is possible both online and with local Vancouver insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies do not offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

You just learned many ways to save on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the best prices are with the smaller companies.

As you restructure your insurance plan, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to regret that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.