Things You Must Know Before Buying Lakewood Colorado Auto Insurance Online

Nobody cherishes buying auto insurance, in particular when the cost is way too high.

Online insurance companies like GEICO, 21st Century and Progressive continually hit you with TV and radio ads and it is difficult to see past the corporate glitz and take the time to shop coverage around.

Consumers need to shop coverage around periodically since rates tend to go up over time. If you had the best deal two years ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate one of the easiest ways to find great coverage at a great price.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to save some money using this information. Buying car insurance in Lakewood is not rocket science. Nevertheless, Colorado vehicle owners must understand how insurance companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

High crash test scores lower rates – Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and fewer injuries translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates.
Performance level impacts rates – The performance of the vehicle you are insuring makes a huge difference in determining your rates. Economy passenger vehicles usually have the lowest rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Driving with no insurance is illegal and auto insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage have a gap. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but not being able to provide proof of insurance can result in a steep fine or even jail time.
Adjust deductibles and save – Deductibles for physical damage represent how much money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. Insurance for physical damage to your car, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The more expense you have to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
Don’t get talked into coverage you don’t need – There are many extra bells and whistles you can purchase on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like roadside assistance, better glass coverage and membership fees may be costing you every month. These may sound like a good investment at first, but your needs may have changed so get rid of them and save.
Rates may be lower depending on your job – Occupations like real estate brokers, business owners and accountants are shown to have higher rates than average because of job stress and long work hours. On the flip side, professions such as pilots, athletes and the unemployed pay the least.
Your car’s features help determine rates – Purchasing a vehicle that has an advanced theft prevention system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping auto theft.
Drive less and save money – Driving more miles in a year the more you will pay for auto insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based upon how you use the vehicle. Vehicles that are left in the garage receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Verify your auto insurance coverage is showing the proper vehicle usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.

Fast and Easy Lakewood Auto Insurance Quotes

Performing a rate comparison can take time and effort if you don’t understand the most efficient way to do it. You could spend the better part of a day discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in Lakewood, or you can stay home and use the web for quick rates.

Most car insurance companies participate in a marketplace where prospective buyers submit their information once, and each participating company can provide price quotes based on that data. This eliminates the need for quotation requests to each individual auto insurance company.

To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window). Lakewood insurance prices

The only drawback to pricing coverage this way is you are unable to specify which insurance companies to get pricing from. If you wish to select from a list of companies to receive pricing from, we have assembled a list of companies who write auto insurance in Colorado. View list of Colorado insurance companies.

Whichever way you use, double check that you are using apples-to-apples information with each company. If you enter differing limits it’s not possible to find the best deal in Lakewood. Just a small difference in coverage limits can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps you find lower pricing.

Are auto insurance companies telling the truth?

Auto insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate and GEICO regularly use ads on television and other media. They all seem to have a common claim that you can save if you move your policy. How do they all claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies can use profiling for the driver that is profitable for them. For instance, a driver they prefer could be between 25 and 40, has no prior claims, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. A driver who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential insureds who do not match this ideal profile will have to pay more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s why companies can make the claims of big savings. Because of the profiling, you need to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Car insurance companies don’t always list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving.

Driver Safety – Taking a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
Accident Waiver – A few companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if your claims history is clear prior to the accident.
Club Memberships – Belonging to a civic or occupational organization could qualify you for a break when shopping for auto insurance.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Good Students Pay Less – This discount can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts until age 25.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you’re out of luck.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions might help in determining whether you could use an agent’s help.

Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Colorado?
Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
What are the best liability limits?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier

More detailed Colorado auto insurance information is available at the Colorado DORA Division of Insurance website. Colorado drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, view a list of available companies, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and learn about insurance regulations.

What is YOUR best insurance company?

Lower-priced auto insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Lakewood insurance agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to discover later that it was a big mistake. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.