Methods for Paying Less for Blair Auto Insurance Rates

Finding cheap Blair auto insurance on the web can seem to be intimidating for beginners to shopping for insurance online. With a ridiculous number of online companies, how can consumers have a chance to compare every company to locate the best available rates?

What determines how much you pay?

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with big savings.

  • Traffic citations inflate rates – Even a single speeding ticket can bump up the cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers who don’t get tickets receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who get dangerous violations such as DUI or reckless driving may be required to submit a SR-22 form with the DMV in their state in order to prevent a license revocation.
  • Extra add-on coverages are wasting money – There are quite a few additional coverages that you can buy when buying auto insurance. Coverages for personal injury protection, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. They may seem good when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
  • Choose a safe vehicle and save – Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. These vehicles result in less severe injuries and fewer injuries translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders.
  • Pay less if you’re married – Having a spouse helps lower the price on your policy. Marriage is viewed as being more mature and it’s proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
  • Lower rates come with age – Youthful drivers in Nebraska are known to be careless and easily distracted when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Parents adding a young driver onto your auto insurance can break the bank. More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims and get fewer tickets.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation – Occupations such as doctors, social workers and dentists tend to have the highest average rates attributed to high stress levels and long work days. Other occupations like farmers, historians and the unemployed receive lower rates.
  • The type of vehicle makes a difference – The make and model of the car you own makes a substantial difference in the rate you pay. The lowest rates tend to be for small economy passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
  • Where you live is a factor – Living in less populated areas is a positive aspect when insuring your vehicles. Less people living in that area means a lower chance of having an accident as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Urban drivers regularly have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.

Discounts are basically free money

Car insurance can cost a lot, but you can get discounts to reduce the price significantly. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time of purchase, but a few need to be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.

  • Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current expiration date. It’s a savings of about 10%.
  • Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags can receive discounts up to 30%.
  • Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
  • Good Students Pay Less – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
  • Auto/Home Discount – When you have multiple policies with one company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.

Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates you could get a free auto insurance policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.

To choose companies offering auto insurance discounts in Nebraska, follow this link.

Your local neighborhood insurance agent

Certain consumers would prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is just fine! The best thing about getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find lower rates and still have an agent to talk to. And supporting local insurance agencies is especially important in Blair.

After filling out this quick form, your coverage information is emailed to companies in Blair who will return price quotes for your coverage. You never need to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. How cool is that?! Get lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Different types of auto insurance agents in Blair

If you’re trying to find an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different types of agents that you can select. Agencies in Blair can either be independent (non-captive) or captive.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with lots of companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to contact multiple independent agents to get the best comparison.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which may provide better rates.

The following are independent insurance agencies in Blair that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.compare rates in Nebraska

  • Hansen Agency Inc – 1636 Washington St – Blair, NE 68008 – (402) 426-2167
  • Thompson Agency Ins and Real Est – 1712 Washington St – Blair, NE 68008 – (402) 426-4707
  • Blair Insurance – 1529 Lincoln St – Blair, NE 68008 – (402) 426-4888
  • Ryan Crop Insurance Svc Inc – 10942 Bridgeview Dr – Blair, NE 68008 – (402) 426-4084
  • George Hall Agency Inc – 1641 Washington St – Blair, NE 68008 – (402) 426-4860
Captive Agents

These agents are contracted to one company and examples are AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agents are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some consumers prefer to buy from captive agents partially due to the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.

Below are Blair captive insurance agencies who can help you get comparison quotes.

  • Farm Bureau Insurance – 1565 Washington St – Blair, NE 68008 – (402) 426-3440

To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Blair, visit this link.

Deciding on an insurance agent should depend on more than just the price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

  • Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
  • Can they give you a list of client referrals?
  • How are they compensated?
  • Do they assist clients in filing claims?
  • Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
  • Is working in the agency their full-time job?

After receiving positive feedback and locked in a price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.

Can switching companies really save?

Auto insurance providers like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all say the same thing that you’ll save big if you switch to their company. How does each company make almost identical claims?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that is profitable for them. A good example of a driver they prefer could be between 25 and 40, has no tickets, and has great credit. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” will get the preferred rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don’t qualify for these standards will have to pay higher rates which leads to the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can truthfully claim big savings.

Because of the profiling, you need to compare as many rates as you can. It’s not possible to predict which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

compare rates in Nebraska

To learn even more about auto insurance

More information is located on the Nebraska Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find a variety of consumer forms, download brochures, and discover disciplinary actions.

Also read more on this online resource for free quotes in Nebraska and this link where you can make Blair auto insurance comparisons.

Do the work, save more money

Low-cost auto insurance can be bought both online and also from your neighborhood Blair agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best selection. A few companies may not provide online quoting and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.

Consumers leave their current company for many reasons like being labeled a high risk driver, delays in responding to claim requests, extreme rates for teen drivers and high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company is less work than it seems.

While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are a lot of situations where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while still protecting your assets.