How to Know You’re Spending Too Much for Auto Insurance in Pittsburg Kansas

Shopping for low-cost Pittsburg auto insurance online can be difficult for consumers new to online price comaprisons. With a ridiculous number of online companies available, how can consumers even start to compare every company to locate the cheapest rates?

It’s important to get comparison quotes quite often because prices change regularly. Even if you think you had the best deal a few years ago other companies may now be cheaper. Don’t believe everything you read about auto insurance on the internet, so I’m going to show you the easiest ways to find affordable auto insurance.

If you have a current auto insurance policy or need new coverage, you can follow these tips to shop for the lowest rates while maintaining coverages. Locating affordable protection in Pittsburg is simple if you know the tricks. Kansas consumers just need to understand the proper way to compare rates online.

Cut your auto insurance rates with discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, but you can get discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically when you quote, but some may not be applied and must be inquired about before you get the savings. If they aren’t giving you every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.

• Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
• No Charge for an Accident – Certain companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
• Payment Method – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
• Multi-policy Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with the same company you could get a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
• Homeowners Savings – Owning a house in Pittsburg may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
• Government Employees – Simply working for the federal government can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will reduce the cost of coverage.

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

Make smart decisions and save

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.

• One company can mean more discounts – Most insurers will award you with lower prices to insureds who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to shop around to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still be able to find a better deal by buying auto insurance from a different company.
• A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Driving without insurance can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance lapse. Not only will you pay more, but not being able to provide proof of insurance might get you a license revocation or jail time.Then you may be required to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Kansas motor vehicle department.
• Men pay higher rates – Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are worse drivers. They both have accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species have costlier accidents. Men also tend to get more serious tickets such as reckless driving. Young males are several times more likely to be in an accident and therefore have the most expensive auto insurance rates.
• Liability coverage protects you – Liability insurance provides coverage when a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. It provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
• Big city or small town – Living in a small town has it’s advantages when talking about auto insurance. Urban drivers tend to have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents.

Different people need different coverages

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage, there is no best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different.

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

• Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
• Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
• Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
• Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
• Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
• Does my vehicle need full coverage?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.

Quote online but work with a neighborhood agent

Some consumers just want to buy from a licensed agent and that is just fine! Licensed agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you peace of mind. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the lowest rates but also keep your business local. And providing support for local insurance agencies is especially important in Pittsburg.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, the coverage information is sent to agents in your area who will compete for your business. You won’t need to leave your house as quotes are delivered directly to your email. How’s that for easy!

To contact a specific insurance agent in Pittsburg, go to this page.

Selecting an insurer shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• Do they make recommendations based only on price?
• Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?

Once you have positive responses to your questions and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance company that is a good match to provide auto insurance coverage.

Save $466 a year? Really?

Consumers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all seem to make the same claim that you’ll save big if you move to their company.

How does each company make the same claim?

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. For instance, a profitable customer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.

Potential insureds who don’t measure up to these standards will have to pay higher rates which leads to the customer not buying. The ads say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why companies can advertise the savings.

Because of the profiling, drivers must get as many comparisons as possible. It’s impossible to know the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Much more information about auto insurance in Kansas can be read on the Kansas Insurance Department website through this link. Kansas consumers can read industry bulletins, find disaster information, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

The following information may also be useful.

• Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Car Insurance Savings the Companies Don’t Want You to Know About

In the end, you save

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be sourced both online as well as from independent agents in Pittsburg, so compare prices from both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

Insureds switch companies for a number of reasons such as high prices, extreme rates for teen drivers, delays in responding to claim requests and even delays in paying claims. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies is not as hard as you think.

As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, someone sacrificed comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.