Tested Strategies for Low-Cost Tacoma, WA Auto Insurance

Nobody I know likes paying for auto insurance, especially knowing their premiums are too high.

Because you have many options when it comes to auto insurance, it is hard for the average consumer to find the cheapest insurance company.

Finding the best auto insurance coverage in Tacoma can be fairly easy. In a nutshell, everyone who carries auto insurance will most likely be able to save money. But Washington consumers benefit from understanding the way insurance companies compete online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance in Tacoma, WA

There are several ways to compare rate quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. The best way to find competitive insurance rates consists of obtaining rate quotes online. This is very easy and can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

One of the simplest ways to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison click here to open form in new window. This method eliminates the need for a different quote to each individual auto insurance company. One form will return quotes instantly.

A more difficult way to get quotes online is spending the time to visit each individual company website to complete a price quote. For instance, we’ll pretend you want rates from State Farm, GEICO and Liberty Mutual. You would have to spend time on each company’s site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Tacoma, click here.

However you get your quotes, make darn sure you compare exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles for every company. If you enter higher or lower deductibles it will be impossible to decipher which rate is best in Tacoma. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages may result in large price differences. Keep in mind that having more price comparisons provides better odds of finding lower pricing.

Do you qualify for a discount?

Car insurance is not cheap, but you may find discounts to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically at the time of purchase, but less common discounts must be manually applied before being credited.

• Anti-lock Brakes – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
• Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
• No Claims – Claim-free drivers pay less when compared to bad drivers.
• Save with a New Car – Insuring a new car can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.

It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck. But all discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.

For a list of insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Washington, click here.

Rate influencing factors

It’s important that you understand the rating factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that could result in better auto insurance rates.

• Higher deductibles cost less – The deductibles define the amount you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. Coverage for physical damage, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, is used to repair damage to your car. Examples of covered claims would be running into the backend of another car, damage caused by hail, or theft. The higher the amount you’re willing to pay, the bigger discount you will receive.
• Careful drivers pay lower rates – Even a single citation can boost insurance rates forty percent or more. Careful drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 form with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
• Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping auto theft.
• You might want pay the small claims yourself – If you frequently file small claims, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Companies in Washington give cheaper rates to policyholders who are claim-free. Auto insurance is intended for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
• Safer cars cost less to insure – Safer cars get lower rates. The safest vehicles have better occupant injury protection and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and lower rates for you.
• Males pay more for insurance – The statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that men are worse drivers. Men and women tend to get into accidents in similar percentages, but the male of the species cause more damage. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as reckless driving. Young males are several times more likely to be in an accident and thus pay the highest rates.

Additional auto insurance information is located on the website for the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner through this link. Washington drivers can read industry bulletins, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and view a list of available companies.

Affordable insurance is out there

As you shop your coverage around, you should never reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.

We just presented many ideas to get a better price on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from some of the lesser-known companies. Smaller companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.