Learn Rock Solid Methods to Save on Muskegon, MI Car Insurance

If you are a novice to online car insurance shopping, it’s easy to get confused by the large number of car insurance companies vying for business in Muskegon.

If you have insurance now or are shopping for new coverage, you can use these techniques to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. The purpose of this post is to let you in on the best way to quote coverages and some tricks to saving. Michigan drivers only need to know the best way to compare company rates over the internet.

Muskegon Car Insurance Prices Online

All the larger car insurance companies allow you to get coverage prices on their websites. Getting online quotes doesn’t take much effort as you simply enter your coverage information as detailed in the form. Upon sending the form, the company’s rating system collects your driving record and credit report and returns a price determined by many factors.

This helps simplify price comparisons, but having to visit several different sites and complete many quote forms is monotonous and tiresome. But it’s absolutely necessary to perform this step in order to get a better rate.

The preferred way to compare car insurance pricing makes use of a single form that gets prices from multiple companies. It saves time, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes online price comparison a little more enjoyable. After sending your information, it is rated with multiple companies and you can pick any of the quote results. If the quotes result in lower rates, you can simply submit the application and buy the policy. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and you will know how your current rates stack up.

To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, click here to open in a new tab and submit the form. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you duplicate coverages and limits exactly as shown on your declarations page. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will have an apples-to-apples comparison for the exact same coverage.

Don’t miss these discounts

Companies offering auto insurance don’t necessarily list all available discounts very well, so we researched both well-publicized as well as the least known ways to save on car insurance. If you don’t get every credit available, you are paying more than you should be.

• Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a break if you buy life insurance from them.
• Defensive Driving Course – Taking a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
• Good Student – Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you up until you turn 25.
• Federal Employees – Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way.

To choose insurers with discount car insurance rates in Muskegon, click here to view.

Tips to Get Lower Muskegon Rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with better car insurance rates.

Shown below are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.

• Bad driving skills means higher rates – Even a single speeding ticket may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records get better rates than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with the DMV in their state in order to continue driving.
• Safer occupants lowers premiums – Vehicles with good safety scores are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and lower rates for you.
• Type of vehicle determines base rates – The performance of the vehicle you drive makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. The lowest rates tend to be for lower performance four cylinder passenger cars, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Being married can save on car insurance – Getting married actually saves money on car insurance. Having a significant other usually means you are more mature and responsible it has been statistically shown that drivers who are married are more cautious.
• Small claims can cost you – If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to higher rates. Companies in Michigan provide lower rates to insureds who do not rely on their insurance for small claims. Insurance coverage is intended for larger claims.
• More people means more accidents – Choosing to live in small towns and rural areas can be a good thing when it comes to car insurance. Lower population means fewer accidents and also fewer theft and vandalism claims. Drivers in populated Michigan areas have to deal with much more traffic to deal with and a longer drive to work. More time on the road translates into higher accident risk.
• Lower rates with optional equipment – Owning a car with a theft deterrent system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can help prevent your car from being stolen.

Additional detailed information is available at the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation website. Michigan drivers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about a company, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Ads can be misleading

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings by companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies have a common claim about savings if you change to them.

But how can every company make the same claim?

Different companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, owns a home, and has a high credit rating. A driver who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Consumers who do not match the “perfect” profile will have to pay a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That is how companies can state the savings. Because of the profiling, you absolutely need to compare many company’s rates. You cannot predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Online plus local equals savings

People leave their current company for many reasons like being labeled a high risk driver, denial of a claim, delays in paying claims or even poor customer service. Whatever your reason, finding a new company can be pretty painless.

Affordable car insurance can be bought online and with local Muskegon insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

While you’re price shopping online, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice full coverage only to find out they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.