Professional Advice on Cheaper Brookings Auto Insurance

Feel like you’re a prisoner to an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say you’re not alone.

Multiple insurers compete for your hard-earned dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers to get the best rate

If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to reduce your rates substantially using this strategy. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Brookings is not that difficult. Nevertheless, South Dakota consumers must understand how companies market insurance on the web and take advantage of how the system works.

Save money by taking advantage of these discounts

Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags can receive discounts of 20% or more.
  • New Vehicle Savings – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
  • Accident Forgiveness – A few companies allow you one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
  • Driver Safety – Taking part in a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
  • Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% off the personal injury premium cost.

It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you’re out of luck.

To choose providers who offer auto insurance discounts in South Dakota, click here.

What impacts Brookings insurance rates?

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get big savings.

The following are some of the items used by your company to calculate your rates.

  • Poor credit can mean higher rates – Your credit score is a important factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. So if your credit is lower than you’d like, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your rating. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure than those with poor credit.
  • Discounts for multiple policies – The majority of auto insurance companies will give a discount to customers who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it’s still a good idea to comparison shop to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible.
  • Extra coverages can waste money – There are quite a few extra coverages that can waste your money if you aren’t careful. Things like rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and membership fees are examples of these. They may seem like a good idea initially, but your needs may have changed so remove them from your policy.
  • Do you know your deductibles? – Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are required to spend out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. Physical damage coverage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims are running into the backend of another car, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The more money you’re willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
  • Lower miles equals lower premium – The more you drive in a year the higher your rates will be. Most companies charge to insure your cars based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy is showing the correct driver usage.
  • Safer cars are cheaper to insure – Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles reduce injuries and lower injury rates means lower claim amounts and lower rates for you.
  • Always keep insurance in force – Driving your car without having proper coverage is a misdemeanor and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a steep fine or even jail time.
  • Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Jobs such as lawyers, architects and accountants have higher rates than average due to high stress levels and lots of time spent at work. On the flip side, occupations such as farmers, athletes and homemakers get better rates.

Neighborhood insurance agents

A small number of people prefer to buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you may find lower rates but still work with a licensed agent.

To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this form (opens in new window), your information is instantly submitted to agents in your area who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to drive around because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.free Brookings SD insurance quote

Picking an insurer requires more thought than just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:

  • Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
  • Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
  • Which company do they place the most coverage with?
  • How are claims handled?
  • Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in South Dakota?
  • If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?

The different types of insurance agents

When finding a local agent, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Agencies in Brookings can either be independent or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

These agents write business for a single company such as State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They usually cannot give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. They are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.

Listed below are Brookings captive agencies who may provide you with comparison quotes.

Allstate Insurance Co – 1451 6th St # B – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-8198
State Farm Insurance – 511 6th St – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-8383
Farm Bureau – 601 4th St # 3 – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-4343

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, we recommend you get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison.

Below are independent insurance agents in Brookings who can help you get price quotes.

Harry Mansheim Insurance – 511 Main Ave – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-6225
Santema Agency – 101 Main Ave – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-9484
Swenning Insurance – 307 6th St – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-7799
Sutton Agency – 410 5th St – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-6735
Sterling Agency Insurance – 706 Main Ave S – Brookings, SD 57006 – (605) 692-3027

To view a full list of Brookings insurance agents, click here to link.

After receiving reasonable responses to your questions and an acceptable price quote, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that can adequately provide auto insurance.

Can you really save that much by switching?

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all have a common claim that you can save after switching your coverage to them. How do they all claim to save you money?

All companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of driver they prefer to insure. A good example of a desirable insured could be over the age of 40, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. A customer getting a price quote that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.

Potential insureds who fall outside the requirements will be charged more money and this can result in business not being written. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s why companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings. That is why it’s extremely important to quote coverage with many companies. It’s impossible to know which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Additional detailed information can be found at the South Dakota Division of Insurance website. Consumers can file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about specific coverages, and learn about insurance regulations.

Additional helpful sites include Auto Insurance 101 and this resource to find Brookings, SD insurance agents.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

When you buy insurance online, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, an insured cut liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.

Cheap auto insurance is definitely available on the web in addition to many Brookings insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.