Expert Methods to Paying Less for Wichita Auto Insurance

Are you a victim of an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us, many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out. Drivers have so many auto insurance companies to buy insurance from, and although it’s a good thing to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates.

It’s important to compare rates occasionally because rates trend upward over time. Just because you had the best rates on your last policy there may be better deals available now. There is a lot of bad advice regarding auto insurance online, so we’re going to give you some solid techniques on how to put money back in your pocket.

Verify you’re getting all your discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but companies offer discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but some must be manually applied in order for you to get them. If you don’t get every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

• Good Student – Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
• Sign Early and Save – A few companies offer discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
• Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may save at least 10% off all policies.
• Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Defensive Driving Course – Taking a driver safety course could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Anti-lock Brakes – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Distant Student – Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
• Paperless Signup – Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks just for signing your application on their website.
• One Accident Forgiven – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums so long as you haven’t had any claims for a certain period of time.

Consumers should know that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.

For a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Kansas, click here.

When should I talk to an agent?

When it comes to buying coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
• What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
• Is Kansas a no-fault state?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
• When would I need additional glass coverage?
• Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
• Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
• Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Auto insurance myths debunked

Consumers in Kansas get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies say the same thing about savings after switching your coverage to them.

How does each company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. A good example of a profitable customer might be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A customer that hits that “sweet spot” will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.

Drivers who do not match these standards will be charged a more expensive rate and this can result in business not being written. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. That’s the way companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings.

That is why it is so important to quote coverage with many companies. You cannot predict the company that will have the lowest rates.

More Kansas auto insurance information

Additional auto insurance information can be read on the website for the Kansas Insurance Department through this link. Kansas consumers can read state legal mandates and laws, learn about specific coverages, find disaster information, and view agent and company licensing information.

Smart consumers save more

In this article, we presented many ideas to save on auto insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Drivers may discover the best prices are with some of the smallest insurance companies. They may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like GEICO and State Farm.

The cheapest auto insurance is definitely available from both online companies and with local Wichita insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.