Insider Tips to Saving Money on Newberg, OR Car Insurance

If shopping for car insurance online is new to you, it’s easy to get confused by the sheer number of companies selling insurance in Newberg.

It’s a great practice to compare rates once or twice a year because insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Just because you found the lowest price on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you’re going to learn the quickest way to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.

If you have a current car insurance policy or are looking for a new policy, you can follow these tips to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. This information will let you in on the most effective way to quote insurance and some tips to save money. Oregon drivers only need an understanding of the most effective way to compare company rates on the web.

Take advantage of discounts

Car insurance companies don’t always advertise all their discounts very clearly, so here is a list some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
• Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
• Low Mileage Discounts – Fewer annual miles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
• Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
• Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a course in driver safety could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Drivers Education – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class in high school.
• Claim Free – Claim-free drivers pay much less compared to frequent claim filers.
• Resident Student – Kids in college who are attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.

A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

To see a list of insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in Oregon, follow this link.

Compare Car Insurance Today

Getting a lower price on insurance can be surprisingly simple. Just spend a few minutes on the computer comparing price quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be accomplished in several different ways.

The single most time-saving way to get quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form click to view form in new window. This type of form saves time by eliminating a different quote for each company you want a rate for. Filling out one form will get you rate comparisons from several companies.It’s the quickest way to get rates.

Another way to analyze rates is spending the time to visit each company’s website and fill out their own quote form. For instance, we’ll assume you want rates from State Farm, Progressive and Travelers. You would have to go to every website and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular.

For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Newberg, click here.

Whichever way you use, ensure you’re using identical coverage limits and deductibles on every quote you get. If you use different liability limits it will be very difficult to find the best deal in Newberg.

Make smart decisions and save

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

Listed below are a few of the “ingredients” car insurance companies consider when setting prices.

• Liability insurance protects assets – The liability section of your policy provides coverage if ever a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. It will provide for a legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
• Consolidate policies to earn discounts – Most car insurance companies will award you with lower prices to policyholders who carry more than one policy. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to ten or even up to twenty percent in some cases. If you currently are using one company, you may still want to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
• Are you male or female? – Statistics have proven that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. That doesn’t necessarily mean that men are WORSE drivers than women. Women and men have accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species cause more damage. Men also tend to have more aggressive citations such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are most likely to cause an accident and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
• Your location is important – Living in a rural area can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. Lower population means fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Urban drivers have to deal with much more traffic to deal with and longer commute times. More time on the road translates into higher accident risk.

How to know if you need help

When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

These are some specific questions can aid in determining if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
• Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
• Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
• What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Oregon?
• Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

Car insurance ads bend the truth

Consumers in Oregon can’t ignore all the ads for car insurance savings from companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies say the same thing about savings if you switch your policy.

How do they all claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer might be between the ages of 40 and 55, a clean driving record, and has excellent credit. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” receives the best rates and most likely will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Drivers who are not a match for the requirements will be quoted more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That’s the way companies can truthfully advertise the savings. This emphasizes why drivers must compare as many rates as you can. Because you never know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Shop smart and save

Insureds who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as delays in responding to claim requests, lack of trust in their agent, an unsatisfactory settlement offer or even questionable increases in premium. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding the right car insurance provider is less work than it seems.

When you buy insurance online, never reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone dropped collision coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

Discount car insurance is available online and also from your neighborhood Newberg agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. Some insurance providers may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

More tips and info about car insurance is located at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Consumers can get help finding coverage, read consumer alerts, discover disciplinary actions, and view agent and company licensing information.