10 Ways to Cut Your Auto Insurance Prices in East Haven, Connecticut

No one in their right mind likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much. Consumers have many insurance companies to pick from, and although it’s nice to have a choice, so many choices can make it hard to find the lowest cost provider.

Shopping for more affordable protection in East Haven is not that difficult. If you are insured now or need a new policy, you will benefit by learning to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Connecticut drivers just need to learn how to shop over the internet.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Car insurance can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of purchase, but some must be asked about prior to getting the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you are throwing money away.

Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
Anti-theft Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
Homeowners Discount – Owning a house in East Haven can save you money because owning a home requires personal responsibility.
Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.
Driver Safety – Taking part in a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out a life insurance policy as well.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles could be rewarded with a substantially lower rate.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut your premiums.

To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in East Haven, click this link.

How to Buy East Haven Auto Insurance Online

Comparing auto insurance rates can take hours if you don’t utilize the best way to get rate quotes. You can waste a lot of time driving to local insurance agents in East Haven, or you could save time and use online quotes to accomplish the same thing much quicker.

Most of the larger companies belong to a marketplace where insurance shoppers enter their coverage request one time, and every company can give them a price based on that information. This saves time by eliminating form submissions for every auto insurance company.

To compare rates using this form now click here to start a free quote.

The only downside to doing it this way is that you can’t choose the companies to get pricing from. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies to compare prices, we have a page of auto insurance companies in Connecticut. Click to view list. auto insurance image

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but be sure to compare the exact same coverages for each price quote. If your comparisons have different deductibles it’s impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in East Haven.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that may reward you with big savings.

High numbers of claims are not good – Auto insurance companies in Connecticut generally give cheaper rates to insureds who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Your insurance policy is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
What are your deductibles? – Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. Examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. Deductibles for physical damage are the amount of money you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you’re willing to pay, the lower your rates will be.
Younger drivers pay higher rates – Older insureds are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel. Young drivers have a tendency to be careless and easily distracted when behind the wheel therefore auto insurance rates are much higher.
More than one policy can earn a discount – The majority of insurance companies will give a discount to insureds who have multiple policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can be 10 percent or more. Even if you’re getting this discount you still need to shop around to ensure the best deal.
Where do you drive? – The higher the mileage driven each year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates compared to those used for work or business. Double check that your auto insurance declarations sheet shows the correct usage for each vehicle.
High performance equals high price – The performance level of the vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. Low performance passenger models receive the most favorable rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system can thwart car theft.

Is my situation unique?

When choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions might point out if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.

How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
How high should my medical payments coverage be?
Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in East Haven?
Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in Connecticut?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.

Misconceptions in auto insurance advertisements

Connecticut consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings by GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. All the companies say the same thing about savings if you change to their company.

How do they all make almost identical claims?

Different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk might be profiled as between 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any driver who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and most likely will save when switching.

Consumers who fall outside these standards will have to pay higher rates which usually ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully claim big savings.

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

Better coverage you can count on

As you shop your coverage around, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheaper auto insurance is possible both online in addition to many East Haven insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

Additional auto insurance information is located on the website for the Connecticut Insurance Department through this link. Consumers can discover disciplinary actions, find a variety of consumer forms, learn about insurance regulations, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

Other informative sites include this resource for Connecticut auto insurance prices and this list of insurance agents in East Haven, CT.