Things You Must Know Before Purchasing Riverside, CA Car Insurance Online

Are you overwhelmed by the dozens of car insurance options in Riverside? Lot’s of other consumers are too. Consumers have so many options that it can quickly become a ton of work to find lower rates.

You need to check car insurance prices once or twice a year because prices go up and down regularly. Just because you found the lowest rates two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because it’s time to teach you the best way to properly buy coverages and cut your premium.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Most are applied at quote time, but a few must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.

• Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
• Defensive Driver – Taking a defensive driving course could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
• Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
• Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up until you turn 25.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most cut specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts in California, click here to view.

Rate influencing factors

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine the price you pay for car insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to big savings.

• Your job and insurance rates – Jobs such as lawyers, architects and financial analysts have higher average rates due to job stress and lengthy work days. Conversely, professions such as farmers, engineers and the unemployed get better rates.
• Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Some car insurance companies will award you with lower prices to people who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even if you’re getting this discount it’s still a good idea to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
• High performance equals high price – The performance level of the car you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in the rate you pay. The lowest base rates are usually for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
• Marriage pays dividends – Having a wife or husband can get you a discount when buying car insurance. Marriage means you’re more mature than a single person and it’s proven that drivers who are married are more cautious.
• Lower rates with optional equipment – Owning a car with an alarm system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
• More claims means more premium – Companies in California provide discounts to drivers who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can expect either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Auto insurance is designed for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.

Your coverage should be tailored to you

When choosing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For example, these questions could help you determine if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

• Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
• Are rental cars covered under my policy?
• Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
• Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
• Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
• When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
• Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
• Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?

If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.

For more California car insurance information

More information can be read on the California Department of Insurance website located here. California drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, discover disciplinary actions, and view agent and company licensing information.

The following articles may also be useful.

• Spending Too Much for Car Insurance in Riverside California? Here’s How to Save!

Final thoughts

Throughout this article, we presented many ways to lower your car insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers may even find the lowest premiums are with a small local company.

When shopping online for car insurance, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where someone dropped liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. Your aim should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Drivers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including policy cancellation, delays in paying claims, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even questionable increases in premium. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right car insurance provider is easier than you think.