Wasting Money on Auto Insurance in Santa Clarita, CA? Here’s How to Save!
Tired of scraping the payment together each month for car insurance? You are in the same boat as most other car owners in California. Many car insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates to discover the definitive best rate
It’s a good idea to shop coverage around every six months due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. If you had the best rates six months ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because we’re going to show you the fastest way to save on auto insurance.
What determines how much you pay?
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine your auto insurance rates. Understanding what determines base rates helps enable you to make changes that could result in better auto insurance rates.
The following are some of the items that factor into premiums.
- More than one policy can earn a discount – Most auto insurance companies give discounts to people who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it’s still a good idea to comparison shop to ensure the best deal.
- Small claims can cost you – Companies in California give lower rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can look forward to either higher rates or even cancellation. Your insurance policy is designed for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
- Your location is important – Being located in a small town can be a good thing when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers translates into fewer accidents. Drivers who live in large California cities regularly have much more traffic to deal with and longer commute times. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
- Your stress level may be raising your rates – Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Occupations like doctors, business owners and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates attributed to job stress and long work days. Other occupations like actors, historians and performers have the lowest average rates.
- A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Letting your insurance expire will be a quick way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the California motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
- The type of vehicle makes a difference – The type of car you drive makes a big difference in your rates. The lowest rates are usually for economy passenger models, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
- Protect yourself with liability coverage – The liability section of your policy will protect you in the event that a court rules you are at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability is cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
Are you getting all your discounts?
Companies offering auto insurance don’t list all available discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same insurance company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
- Use Seat Belts – Requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
- Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive reduced rates.
It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
To choose insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in California, follow this link.
Comparing rates from local agents
Some consumers prefer to buy from a licensed agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Good agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The best thing about price shopping on the web is you may find lower rates but also keep your business local.
After filling out this quick form, the quote information is immediately sent to local insurance agents who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no reason to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!
Deciding on an provider should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in California?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
Different types of car insurance agents in Santa Clarita
When searching for local Santa Clarita agents, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Santa Clarita agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive). Either one can write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn how they differ since it may influence the type of agent you choose
Agency Captives
Captive insurance agents are contracted to one company like Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. Captives are trained well on the products they sell which can be an advantage.
The following is a list of captive insurance agencies in Santa Clarita who may provide you with rate quotes.
Farmers Insurance Group – 22777 Lyons Ave – Santa Clarita, CA 91321 – (661) 259-8484
Allstate Insurance – 23502 Lyons Ave # 103 – Santa Clarita, CA 91321 – (661) 254-0621
State Farm Insurance – 26047 Bouquet Canyon Rd – Santa Clarita, CA 91350 – (661) 255-5252
Independent Agents
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Santa Clarita who can help you get comparison quotes.
Explorer Insurance – 28490 Avenue Stanford – Santa Clarita, CA 91355 – (661) 294-8980
Spyglass Insurance – 24400 Walnut St # 104c – Santa Clarita, CA 91321 – (661) 254-5444
To view a complete directory of licensed insurance agents in Santa Clarita, simply jump to this page.
After receiving good answers to your questions and an acceptable price quote, you may have just found an insurance agency that will adequately provide auto insurance.
Don’t listen to company ads
Consumers can’t ignore all the ads for car insurance savings from companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. All the companies make the same claim that you’ll save big after switching your policy.
But how can every company make the same claim?
Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured could be over the age of 40, owns a home, and drives newer vehicles. A propective insured who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably save when switching.
Consumers who fall outside the “perfect” profile must pay higher rates and ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This illustrates why you should get as many comparisons as possible. It’s impossible to know the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.
It’s not one size fits all
When buying adequate coverage, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
- Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
- Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
- Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- What discounts do I qualify for?
- What can I do if my company won’t pay a claim?
- Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
More tips and info about auto insurance is located at the California Department of Insurance website. California drivers can read consumer alerts, report car insurance fraud, and download brochures.
The following articles may also be useful.
In conclusion
When shopping online for auto insurance, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, someone sacrificed liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your goal should be to buy enough coverage at the best price.
Cheap auto insurance can be sourced from both online companies and with local Santa Clarita insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers sell through independent agents.