Learn How to Lower Your Premiums for Ketchikan Car Insurance

Cutting costs on Ketchikan car insurance is always nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. Drivers have so many choices that it can quickly become a real challenge to locate the lowest price in Ketchikan.

It’s important to compare rates before your policy renews because insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you got the lowest price last year you may be paying too much now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the fastest and easiest way to find better coverage at a better price.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Ketchikan is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. But Alaska drivers must understand the way companies market on the web and use this information to your advantage.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always list every available discount very well, so we researched both the well known and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.

Sign Online – Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy digitally online.
Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
Organization Discounts – Affiliation with a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates when buying car insurance.
Discount for Swiching Early – Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
Good Student – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
Military Discounts – Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.

Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.

For a list of insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in Alaska, follow this link.

Get Cheaper Rates by Understanding Pricing

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that go into determining car insurance rates. Understanding what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get big savings.

Listed below are some of the factors used by your company to calculate your rates.

Where you live can impact rates – Being located in a rural area has it’s advantages when it comes to car insurance. City drivers have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate.
Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your car insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage.
Never go without insurance – Driving with no insurance can get your license suspended and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
High deductibles save money – The deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend in the event of a claim. Physical damage coverage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, covers damage that occurs to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. The more money you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
Equipment add-ons that lower car insurance rates – Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can thwart your car from being stolen.

You may need specialized coverage

When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is unique. Alaska insurance prices

For instance, these questions might point out if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.

Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
Will my rates increase for filing one claim?
Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
What are the financial responsibility laws in Alaska?
How much liability coverage do I need in Alaska?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.

Quote online but still have a local agent

Certain consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent and that is OK! The best thing about comparing rates online is you can get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

By using this simple form, your coverage information gets sent to agents in your area who will compete for your coverage. There is no need to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. It doesn’t get any easier! You’ll get the best rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Selecting an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. These are valid questions to ask:

Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
Are they full-time agents?
Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
Who are their largest clients?
Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?

If you want to view a list of agents in Ketchikan to contact, please view this page.

Once you have received positive responses for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, most likely you have located an provider that can properly insure your vehicles.

Slick advertising tricks that work

Car insurance providers like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. They all say the same thing about savings if you switch to them. How can each company make the same claim? This is how they do it.

All the different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any driver who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Consumers who don’t measure up to the “perfect” profile will be charged higher premiums and ends up with business not being written. The ads say “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can make the claims of big savings. That is why drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It’s just too difficult to predict which car insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Learn more about car insurance in Alaska

Additional detailed information can be found at the Alaska Division of Insurance website. Consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out which companies have the most complaints, get help finding coverage, and read industry bulletins.

Do the work, save more money

People switch companies for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, extreme rates for teen drivers, policy cancellation and denial of a claim. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new company is less work than it seems.

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of tips how to compare car insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the lowest premiums are with the smaller companies.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, you should never skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are too many instances where an insured dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.