Is Your Columbus Auto Insurance Too High?

Finding the best price on Columbus auto insurance may seem to be difficult if you’re new to online rate quotes. But relax because there is an easy way to compare rates.

Why your price might be higher

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

Better crash test results mean better rates – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. These vehicles protect occupants better and better occupant protection translates into savings for insurance companies and thus lower rates.
Your occupation can affect rates – Jobs such as doctors, social workers and dentists have the highest average rates due to stressful work requirements and lengthy work days. Other occupations like scientists, historians and retirees get better rates.
The type of vehicle makes a difference – The performance level of the vehicle you own makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. Economy passenger models receive the most favorable rates, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
Where you live – Choosing to live in less populated areas can be a good thing when it comes to auto insurance. Fewer drivers means reduced accidents. Drivers in populated Montana areas have to deal with much more traffic to deal with and much longer commute distances. More time on the road can result in more accidents.
Never go without insurance – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a fast way to pay more for auto insurance. Not only will rates go up, but not being able to provide proof of insurance may earn you a steep fine or even jail time.

How to Compare Auto Insurance in Columbus, MT

There are several ways of comparing rates from auto insurance companies in your area. The best way to compare insurance prices consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This can be done in several different ways.

The fastest way to compare a lot of rates at once would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This method keeps you from doing repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company. Filling out one form will return quotes direct from many companies. This is by far the quickest method.
A less efficient way to get comparison quotes consists of going to the website of each company to complete a price quote. For examples sake, let’s assume you want to compare rates from Auto-Owners, GEICO and GMAC. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method.
For a handy list of car insurance company links in Columbus, click here.

However you get your quotes, double check that you are using the exact same coverages and limits for each comparison quote. If you have higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to determine the best price in Columbus. Just a small difference in limits may result in a large different in cost. Just keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies helps locate lower pricing.

Auto insurance myths debunked

Companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive consistently run ads in print and on television. All the ads have a common claim that you’ll save big if you change your coverage to them. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies can use profiling for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has a high credit rating. A customer who meets those qualifications will get very good rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who are not a match for these standards will have to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That’s why insurance companies can advertise the savings. Because of the profiling, it’s extremely important to get quotes from several different companies. It is impossible to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Companies do not list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find both the well known as well as the least known ways to save on auto insurance.

Resident Student – Children who are attending college and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
More Vehicles More Savings – Having multiple cars or trucks on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Sign Online – Certain companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
Good Students Pay Less – This discount can save 20 to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.
Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way.

For a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates in Montana, click this link.

Additional detailed information can be read at the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website. Consumers can read industry bulletins, read state legal mandates and laws, and learn about specific coverages.

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And the best car insurance company is…

When you buy insurance online, it’s not a good idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage and learned later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price.

In this article, we covered many ways to save on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the lowest rates come from a small local company.

Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced online and with local Columbus insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.