Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Lisbon North Dakota Auto Insurance

If online auto insurance comparisons are new to you, you can be overwhelmed by the hoards of online companies vying for business in Lisbon.

Cut your auto insurance rates with discounts

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, buy you may qualify for discounts that many people don’t even know exist. A few discounts will automatically apply when you get a quote, but some may not be applied and must be inquired about prior to receiving the credit.

• Accident Forgiveness – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums so long as you haven’t had any claims for a particular time prior to the accident.
• Drive Less and Save – Low mileage vehicles could be rewarded with better rates on cars that stay parked.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Defensive Driver – Taking a driver safety course can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.
• More Vehicles More Savings – Having multiple cars or trucks on one policy qualifies for this discount.
• Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
• Sign Online – Certain companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application online.
• Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your premiums.

For a list of companies offering auto insurance discounts in Lisbon, click here.

Smart Consumers Save More

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that come into play when calculating your auto insurance rates. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.

• Save money with special equipment – Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft features like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping your vehicle from being stolen.
• Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Driving your car without having proper coverage is illegal and your next policy will cost more because you let your coverage have a gap. Not only will you pay more, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
• Rate your vehicle for proper use – Driving more miles in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles 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 is showing the proper vehicle usage.
• Traffic violations increase rates – Your driving record has a huge affect on how much you pay. Good drivers tend to pay less for car insurance compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single citation can increase rates forty percent or more. Drivers who get flagrant violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to file a SR-22 with their state motor vehicle department in order to keep their license.
• Don’t skimp on liability – The liability section of your policy will protect you if a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides you with a defense in court which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
• High numbers of claims are not good – Insurance companies in North Dakota award discounts to policyholders who do not file claims often. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
• Increase deductibles and save – Physical damage deductibles represent how much money you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. Physical damage insurance, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, insures against damage to your car. Examples of covered claims could be colliding with a building, collision with an animal, and burglary. The more you’re willing to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.

Price shop online but buy from a local Lisbon agent

Some consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is just fine! One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting small agencies is important particularly in Lisbon.

Once you complete this form (opens in new window), the coverage information is submitted to agents in your area who will give you bids for your business. You never need to even leave your home since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier! Get lower rates AND a local agent.

If you wish to view a list of agents in Lisbon to contact, please click here.

Choosing an insurance company should depend on more than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:

• Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
• If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in North Dakota?
• Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
• Does the agency support the community they serve?
• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?

Once you have received positive feedback to these questions and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance company that meets your needs to service your policy.

How can State Farm, GEICO and Progressive save drivers who switch?

Companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive consistently run ads in print and on television. All the ads make an identical promise that you can save if you change to their company. How does each company make the same claim?

All the different companies can use profiling for the driver they prefer to insure. An example of a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, has no prior claims, and has excellent credit. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Drivers who do not match these standards will be charged higher prices and ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s the way insurance companies can state the savings.

That is why it’s extremely important to compare many company’s rates. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Additional auto insurance information can be read on the North Dakota Insurance Department website located here. North Dakota consumers can get help finding coverage, view agent and company licensing information, and read industry bulletins.

Final thoughts

Budget-conscious auto insurance can be found from both online companies in addition to many Lisbon insurance agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many instances, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.

Drivers who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as denial of a claim, high prices, policy non-renewal and extreme rates for teen drivers. Regardless of your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider can be pretty painless.