Little Known Techniques to Lower Everett Washington Auto Insurance

Saving money on Everett auto insurance is hard for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. Drivers have so many options that it can quickly become a big hassle to find lower rates in Everett.

It’s smart to get comparison quotes before your policy renews due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the best rates a couple years back you will most likely find a better rate today. There is too much inaccurate information about auto insurance on the internet, so we’re going to give you some excellent ideas to reduce your auto insurance bill.

Take discounts and save

Companies don’t always list every available discount very clearly, so here is a list both the well known and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Discount for New Cars – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less since new cars are generally safer.
• Paperless Signup – Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 simply for signing over the internet.
• Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
• Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
• Service Members Pay Less – Being on active duty in the military could be rewarded with lower premiums.
• Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
• Discount for Swiching Early – Some companies give discounts for signing up before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
• No Charge for an Accident – A handful of insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.

Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn’t work that way.

For a list of companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Washington, click here to view.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance in Everett

There are a variety of methods to compare auto insurance prices and some are more efficient than others. You can waste a lot of time driving to agents in Everett, or you can utilize the web to get the quickest rates.

All the larger companies take part in a program where prospective buyers enter their policy data once, and each company then gives them pricing based on the submitted data. This system prevents you from having to do quotation requests to every company.

To get comparison pricing now click here (opens in new window).

The one disadvantage to using this type of system is that consumers can’t choose the insurers to receive prices from. If you prefer to choose specific insurance companies to receive pricing from, we put together a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Washington. Click to view list.

Which method you use is up to you, but be sure to compare the exact same coverage information for each price quote. If each company quotes differing limits it’s not possible to determine the lowest rate in Everett.

How your Everett rates are determined

It’s important that you understand the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that could result in lower auto insurance prices.

The following are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

• Cautious drivers pay less – Good drivers have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one moving violation can increase rates twenty percent or more. If you have severe violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may find they need to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state motor vehicle department in order to drive a vehicle legally.
• More performance means more cost – The make and model of the vehicle you drive makes a big difference in determining your rates. Low performance passenger cars usually have the lowest rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Don’t skimp on liability – Liability insurance is the coverage that protects you if ever a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to physical damage coverage, so do not skimp.
• Bump up deductibles to save – Physical damage coverage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered would be collision with another vehicle, damage from fire, or theft. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket in the event of a claim. The more expense the insured has to pay upfront, the bigger discount you will receive.
• Please use or commuting – Driving more miles in a year’s time the higher your rate. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
• How credit affects auto insurance rates – A driver’s credit score is a huge factor in your rate calculation. Drivers who have excellent credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than those with lower credit scores. If your credit is low, you could pay less to insure your by improving your rating.
• Rates may be higher depending on your occupation – Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Occupations such as lawyers, business owners and accountants have higher rates than average in part from job stress and lengthy work days. On the flip side, occupations such as actors, athletes and performers get better rates.
• Safe vehicles cost less to insure – Vehicles with good safety scores are cheaper to insure. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and better occupant protection means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you.

Do I need special coverages?

When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions can aid in determining if you would benefit from professional advice.

• What are Washington no-fault laws?
• Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
• Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
• Do I need motorclub coverage?
• Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
• What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
• Should I buy additional glass protection?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

Neighborhood agents for auto insurance

Certain consumers prefer to buy from a licensed agent and that is just fine! Professional agents can help determine the best coverages and give you peace of mind. The best thing about comparing rates online is you can get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After filling out this short form, your insurance coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents who will battle for your insurance coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. How’s that for easy!

Deciding on an provider should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
• If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
• Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
• Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
• What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
• If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• How long has their agency been open in Everett?

If you wish to select a specific agent in Everett, visit this site.

Upon getting acceptable answers to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance company that can provide auto insurance coverage.

Do you really save 40% when you switch?

Consumers constantly see and hear ads for car insurance savings by GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. All the ads make the same claim that you’ll save big if you change to their company.

How does each company make the same claim?

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of driver that makes them money. A good example of a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has a short commute. A propective insured who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who fall outside these standards must pay higher prices and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That’s why companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This illustrates why you should get a wide range of price quotes. Because you never know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Buy online or local, you save

Lower-priced auto insurance can be bought online and with local Everett insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies do not offer online quoting and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

People switch companies for a variety of reasons including unfair underwriting practices, high prices, not issuing a premium refund and high rates after DUI convictions. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, finding a new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.

We just covered some good ideas how to reduce auto insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may even discover the biggest savings come from some of the smallest insurance companies.

More information about auto insurance

More detailed Washington auto insurance information can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Consumers can read consumer alerts, file complaints about a company, and view agent and company licensing information.