Tricks for Saving Money on New Canaan Connecticut Car Insurance Rates

Nobody looks forward to buying car insurance, especially when their premiums are too high. Lots of auto insurance companies contend for your hard-earned dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurance company to discover the definitive lowest price

It is always a good idea to take a look at other company’s rates on a regular basis since insurance rates are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you think you had the lowest rates six months ago there may be better deals available now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you’re about to learn one of the best ways to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

If you have insurance now or are looking for a new policy, you can use these techniques to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. Buying car insurance in New Canaan is not rocket science. Connecticut drivers only need an understanding of the proper way to compare company rates online.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

It’s important that you understand the factors that help determine the rates you pay for car insurance. Knowing what influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get lower car insurance prices.

The following are a few of the “ingredients” companies use to determine your rates.

• Car features impact rates – Driving a car with an alarm system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Anti-theft features such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all hinder car theft.
• Your credit rating is important – Having a bad credit history is a big factor in determining your rates. Therefore, if your credit history is not that good, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Consumers who have good credit tend to be less risk to insure than drivers who have lower credit scores.
• Your job and insurance rates – Careers like judges, social workers and stock brokers tend to have the highest rates attributed to job stress and long work hours. On the other hand, professions such as actors, students and retirees receive lower rates.
• Women pay lower rates – The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. Now that doesn’t mean men are worse drivers. Both sexes cause accidents at a similar rate, but the men tend to have more serious accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
• Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – The majority of insurance companies provide better rates to customers who buy several policies from them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even though this discount sounds good, you may still want to compare other company rates to verify if the discount is saving money.
• Do you know your deductibles? – The deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket before your car insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, covers damage that occurs to your car. A few examples of covered claims would be colliding with a building, vandalism, or theft. The more money you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
• No coverage gaps is important – Driving with no insurance is against the law and you will pay a penalty because you let your coverage lapse. Not only will you pay more, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a steep fine or even jail time.

How to Compare New Canaan Car Insurance Rates

Getting better car insurance pricing is a fairly straight forward process. You just have to take the time to compare quotes online from several insurance companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.

1. The most efficient way consumers can make multiple comparisons is a comparison rater form click to view form in new window. This form prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for every car insurance company. One quote request gets you price quotes from multiple companies.
2. Another way to find lower rates requires a visit to the website for every company you want to comare and complete a new quote form. For sake of this example, let’s say you want rates from Nationwide, Esurance and Farmers. To get each rate you have to go to every website to input your insurance information, and that’s why the first method is more popular. For a handy list of car insurance company links in New Canaan, click here.
3. The most time-consuming way of comparing rate quotes is driving to local New Canaan insurance agencies. Buying insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you have a need for the professional guidance only provided by licensed New Canaan agents. However, consumers can find lower rates online and still use a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you’re using exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits for each price quote. If each company quotes different liability limits it’s impossible to make an equal comparison in New Canaan.

Do car insurance companies bend the truth?

Connecticut consumers can’t get away from ads for car insurance savings from the likes of State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. All the companies say the same thing that you’ll save big if you switch your coverage to them.

But how can every company make almost identical claims?

All companies can use profiling for the type of customer that earns them a profit. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be between the ages of 40 and 55, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. A customer who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will be charged a higher premium and this can result in the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do.

That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know which company will give you the biggest savings.

Discounts are available to cut your rates

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you may find discounts to reduce the price significantly. Most are applied when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before you get the savings. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.

• New Car Discount – Insuring a new car is cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
• Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accidents.
• Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a home in New Canaan may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
• Sign Online – A handful of insurance companies will give a small break for buying your policy online.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to complete a driver education course in high school.
• Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of more than 20%.
• Discount for Swiching Early – Some companies give discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
• Resident Student – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.

Keep in mind that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when the math indicates you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut your overall premium however.

For a list of companies who offer car insurance discounts in New Canaan, click here to view.

But don’t I need an insurance agent?

Some consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent. Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and give you peace of mind. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the best rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting local insurance agencies is especially important in New Canaan.

Upon completion of this quick form, the quote information gets sent to insurance agents in New Canaan who will give you bids for your coverage. You won’t need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy!

Listed below is a list of auto insurance companies in New Canaan that are able to give comparison quotes.

Emmons & Wilson Insurance – 41 Pine St, New Canaan, CT 06840 – (203) 966-1679
Brown Thayer Shedd Insurance – 49 Pine St, New Canaan, CT 06840 – (203) 966-0660
Marvin Newman Agency Inc – 240 South Ave # A, New Canaan, CT 06840 – (203) 972-8165
Allstate Insurance – 123 Main St # 1, New Canaan, CT 06840 – (203) 972-3123
State Farm Insurance – 140 Elm St, New Canaan, CT 06840 – (203) 966-9930

Picking an insurer shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

• Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
• Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
• Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
• Does the agency support the community they serve?
• Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
• What insurance companies do they work with?
• Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
• Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?

Upon getting positive responses to these questions and a low price estimate, you may have just found an insurance company that will properly service your car insurance policy.

When might I need help?

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

• Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
• Do I need higher deductibles?
• Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
• When would I need additional glass coverage?
• Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
• Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.

Additional information is located on the website for the Connecticut Insurance Department located here. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, learn about specific coverages, read state legal mandates and laws, and download brochures.

Also read more on QuoteClickInsure.com and this page where you can research New Canaan insurance agents.

Do the work, save more money

We just presented many ways to save on car insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more companies you get rates for, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the lowest premiums are with the least-expected company. These smaller insurers may only write in your state and offer lower rates than the large multi-state companies such as GEICO and State Farm.

While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, drivers have reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at the best price.