New Methods for Spending Less for on Rockford Illinois Auto Insurance

Overpriced auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your savings account and make it impossible to make ends meet. Comparing price quotes is a great way to help make ends meet. Consumers have many insurance companies to pick from, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, having more insurers makes it harder to compare company pricing.

Don’t overlook these discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of up to 25% or more.
Multiple Vehicles – Buying insurance for multiple vehicles on one policy qualifies for this discount.
Safety Course Discount – Taking a defensive driving course could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
Auto/Life Discount – Larger companies have lower rates if you buy life insurance from them.
Early Signing – Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So when the math indicates all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

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

Understand what determines the rate you pay

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements 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 lower auto insurance prices in Rockford.

The list below includes a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine your rates.

The more you drive the more you pay – The more miles you rack up on your car every year the higher your rate. Most insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on their usage. Cars left parked in the garage get more affordable rates than those used for commuting. Make sure your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Driving your car without having proper coverage is illegal and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance lapse. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
Do men or women drive better? – Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Women and men tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Young males are most likely to cause an accident and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
Better crash test results mean better rates – Safer cars can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and fewer injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.
Do you qualify for a multi-policy discount? – Many insurers will give a discount to customers who have multiple policies with them, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, you may still want to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the best deal. You may still find a better deal by buying auto insurance from a different company.
Your occupation can affect rates – Careers like lawyers, social workers and financial analysts are shown to have higher average rates attributed to stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Conversely, jobs such as farmers, engineers and the unemployed pay the least.
Teen drivers pay high rates – Youthful drivers in Illinois tend to get distracted easily in a vehicle so auto insurance rates are higher. Mature drivers are more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel.

Compare online but buy from a local Rockford agent

Certain consumers prefer to sit down with an agent and that is OK! Licensed agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. The biggest benefit of getting online price quotes is you may find the lowest rates but also keep your business local.

After completing this quick form, your insurance data is sent to agents in your area who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! save money concept

Choosing an insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:

Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
Is working in the agency their full-time job?
Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?

Pick the best auto insurance agent in Rockford for you

When finding a good Rockford insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different agency structures that you can select. Agencies in Rockford are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the differences since it can impact your selection of an agent.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents have only one company to place business with and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agencies are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.

The following is a list of captive insurance agencies in Rockford that can give you rate quotes.

Farmers Insurance Group – 7479 Walton St # 2 – Rockford, IL 61108 – (815) 399-1415
American Family Insurance – 1946 Daimler Rd – Rockford, IL 61112 – (815) 398-3908
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 3815 N Mulford Rd # 1 – Rockford, IL 61114 – (815) 633-1070
State Farm Insurance – 7404 Cherryvale North Blvd – Rockford, IL 61112 – (815) 332-6500
Allstate Insurance – 2835 Mcfarland Rd # D – Rockford, IL 61107 – (815) 654-9500

Independent Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies. When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.

The following is a short list of independent agencies in Rockford that can give you comparison quotes.

Broadmoor Agency – 321 W State St # 1001 – Rockford, IL 61101 – (815) 965-6700
Chuck Harkness Agency – 5301 E State St # 103 – Rockford, IL 61108 – (815) 395-1942
Country Insurance and Financial – 4616 E State St – Rockford, IL 61108 – (815) 397-7855
Insurance Agency Inross Inc – 615 N Longwood St – Rockford, IL 61107 – (815) 490-0092
Acceptance Insurance Co – 3845 E State St – Rockford, IL 61108 – (815) 987-9000

To view a complete directory of licensed insurance agents in Rockford, please click here.

Once you have positive feedback for all questions you ask as well as a affordable price, you’ve probably found an insurance agency that will adequately provide auto insurance.

Additional detailed information is available at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois drivers can read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, find a variety of consumer forms, and read industry bulletins.

Quote often and quote early

Cost effective auto insurance is available online as well as from independent agents in Rockford, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

When trying to cut insurance costs, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. In too many instances, an insured dropped collision coverage and learned later that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.