5 Excellent Ways to Pay Lower Auto Insurance Premium in Gretna

Comparison shopping for Gretna auto insurance can seem to be a challenge for consumers new to comparison shopping online. People have so many options available that it can be a ton of work to locate the lowest price in Gretna.

If you have insurance now or are looking for a new policy, you can use these techniques to cut your premiums and still get good coverage. The purpose of this article is to help you learn how car insurance quotes work and some money-saving tips. Louisiana drivers only need to know the most efficient way to get comparison quotes on the web.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

Most companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm allow you to get price estimates directly from their websites. Getting quotes is fairly simple as you simply type in the amount of coverage you want into a form. When the form is submitted, the system obtains reports for credit and driving violations and quotes a price based on these and other factors.

Online price quotes streamlines rate comparisons, but having to visit a lot of sites and complete many quote forms can get tiresome after awhile. Unfortunately, it is important to perform this step if you want to find the lowest price.

A less time-consuming method to find better auto insurance pricing makes use of a single form that gets price quotes from several different companies. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes online quotes much more efficient. After sending your information, it is rated with multiple companies and you can pick your choice of the quote results.

If a lower price is quoted, you can click and sign and purchase the new policy. This process can be completed in less than 10 minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.

In order to find out how much you’re overpaying now, click here and begin entering your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you input the insurance coverages identical to your current policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will get a price comparison based on similar coverages.

Save $457 a year. For real?

Consumers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. They all make an identical promise that you can save if you switch to them.

How do they all make the same claim?

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of driver that makes them money. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be between 30 and 50, has no tickets, and chooses high deductibles. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when switching.

Potential insureds who don’t meet these standards will be charged a more expensive rate which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

That is why it is so important to get as many quotes as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

How insurance companies determine rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get better auto insurance rates.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px" src="https://www.findnewcarinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-43.jpg" alt="Gretna insurance quotes” />

The list below includes some of the factors companies use to determine your rates.

Please use or commuting – The more you drive in a year’s time the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your auto insurance policy is rated on the correct driver usage.
Increase deductibles and save – Your deductibles represent how much money you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, covers damage that occurs to your car. Examples of covered claims are colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and windstorm damage. The higher the amount you’re willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
Safer cars are cheaper to insure – Safer cars get lower rates. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Small claims can cost you – Insurance companies in Louisiana generally give better rates to insureds who file claims infrequently. If you tend to file frequent claims, you can look forward to either policy cancellation or increased premiums. Insurance coverage is designed for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Optional equipment can affect rates – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft features like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder car theft.
Don’t let your coverage lapse – Driving without insurance is a misdemeanor and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a license revocation or jail time.You may then be required to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Louisiana motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.

Lots of discounts mean lots of savings

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. A few discounts will automatically apply at quote time, but a few must be asked about prior to receiving the credit. If you’re not getting every credit available, you are throwing money away.

Payment Method – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Resident Student – Kids in college who are attending college and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
Drivers Education – Have your child complete a driver education course in school.
Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
Own a Home – Owning a house in Gretna may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home requires personal responsibility.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way. Any amount of discount will cut the amount you have to pay.

To see a list of providers with discount auto insurance rates in Gretna, click here.

Quote online but still have a local agent

A small number of people prefer to get advice from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you can get the best rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting local insurance agencies is important especially in Gretna.

By using this quick form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to local insurance agents in Gretna who will battle for your coverage. You won’t need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!

Do you need an independent or captive auto insurance agent?

When researching a good Gretna insurance agent, you need to know there are two different types of agents to choose from. Insurance agencies in Gretna are classified as either independent or captive. Both properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it may influence the selection process.

Independent Agents

These agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When searching for an agent, you should always include at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from. Many write coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.

Shown below are Gretna independent insurance agents who can help you get competitive price quotes.

BAM Insurance Providers – 1401 Thomas St – Gretna, LA 70053 – (504) 362-5727
Jerry King Insurance Inc – 732 Behrman Hwy # J – Gretna, LA 70056 – (504) 393-2600
N J Nolan Agency Inc – 1025 Franklin Ave – Gretna, LA 70053 – (504) 366-4567

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies have only one company to place business with such as Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They are unable to compare other company’s rates so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mainly due to loyalty to the company and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

The following are captive agencies in Gretna that are able to give price quote information.

Farm Bureau Insurance Bureau – 401 Realty Dr – Gretna, LA 70056 – (504) 227-2345
State Farm Insurance – 644 Terry Pkwy # B – Gretna, LA 70056 – (504) 368-4041
Allstate Insurance – 2550 Belle Chasse Hwy # 180 – Gretna, LA 70053 – (504) 361-0066

For a complete listing of captive insurance agencies in Gretna, view this link.

Selecting a car insurance agent requires more thought than just the price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

Does the agency support the community they serve?
If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
How long has their agency been in business in Gretna?
Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
How are they compensated?

Upon receiving good answers in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to service your policy.

Final considerations

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many situations where an insured cut liability coverage limits and learned later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford.

Discount auto insurance can be found online as well as from independent agents in Gretna, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies don’t offer online price quotes and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

Drivers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including high prices, delays in paying claims, delays in responding to claim requests or even unfair underwriting practices. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch switching companies can be easier than you think.

Additional auto insurance information can be read on the Louisiana Department of Insurance website found here. Louisiana drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about specific coverages, and read state legal mandates and laws.