Ultimate Techniques for Low-Cost Madison Car Insurance

Finding better rates for Madison car insurance is always a challenge for people who are new to buying insurance online. People have so many companies to choose from that it can be a challenge to compare prices in Madison.

It’s a great practice to get comparison quotes at least once a year due to the fact that insurance rates change frequently. Just because you found the best deal six months ago there may be better deals available now. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re going to learn how to use online quotes to remove unneeded coverages and save money.

Lower your Madison Car Insurance Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to big savings.

More miles equals more premium – The more miles you rack up on your car each year the higher your rate. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Cars left parked in the garage receive lower rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Make sure your car insurance policy is rated on how each vehicle is driven, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Don’t sacrifice liability coverage – Liability coverage is the protection when a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It will provide you with a defense in court which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared with rates for comp and collision, so drivers should carry high limits.
Safer cars cost less to insure – Cars with high safety ratings can get you lower premiums. Safer cars have better occupant injury protection and any reduction in injury severity means less money paid by your insurance company and more competitive rates for policyholders.
Clean credit earns discounts – A driver’s credit score is a big factor in determining your rates. If your credit score is lower than you’d like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by repairing your credit. People with good credit tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with poor credit.
Your location affects your rates – Being located in a rural area can be a good thing when talking about car insurance. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Drivers who live in large Alabama cities have much more traffic to deal with and a longer drive to work. More time commuting means more change of being in an accident.
Claim-free discounts can add up – Car insurance companies in Alabama provide cheaper rates to drivers who do not file claims often. If you frequently file small claims, you can look forward to higher rates. Your insurance policy is designed for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
Type of vehicle determines base rates – The type of car you own makes a huge difference in determining your rates. Economy passenger cars receive the most favorable rates, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
More than one policy can earn a discount – Most companies will award you with lower prices to policyholders who carry more than one policy in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to comparison shop to verify if the discount is saving money.

How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Madison

Getting a lower price on insurance can be surprisingly simple. The only thing you need to do is spend a few minutes to compare quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

The first (and easiest) way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This form eliminates the need for repetitive form entry for every car insurance company. One form will return quotes direct from many companies. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
A slightly less efficient method to get quotes online requires you to visit the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For example, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. You would have to visit each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a handy list of car insurance company links in Madison, click here.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just ensure you’re using the exact same information for each comparison quote. If your comparisons have different liability limits it’s not possible to determine which rate is truly the best in Madison.

Advertising myths

Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. They all have a common claim that you can save if you switch your policy.

But how can every company make the same claim?

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer they prefer to insure. A good example of a preferred risk could be a mature driver, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. A customer who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching. auto insurance image

Consumers who don’t meet the requirements will be quoted more money which leads to the customer not buying. The ads state “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much. That is how companies can advertise the way they do.

This emphasizes why it’s extremely important to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know which insurance companies will give you the biggest savings.

These discounts can slash car insurance rates

Car insurance can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you complete an application, but some must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings. If you don’t get every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.

Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Theft Prevention System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for switching to them before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
Discount for New Cars – Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
Pay Upfront and Save – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Auto/Home Discount – If you have multiple policies with one insurance company you may save up to 20% off your total premium.

It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, car insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will help reduce your premiums.

To see a list of companies offering car insurance discounts in Alabama, follow this link.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When buying the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Every insured’s situation is different.

For example, these questions might point out if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.

Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
What are the best liability limits?
Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Much more information about car insurance in Alabama can be found on the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

The following information may also be useful.

One last thing about your coverage

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s a bad idea to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In too many instances, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

Cheap car insurance is definitely available both online and also from your neighborhood Madison agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

Consumers who switch companies do it for many reasons like policy cancellation, not issuing a premium refund, questionable increases in premium or high prices. Whatever your reason, switching companies is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.