7 Must-Know Tips When Looking for the Best Deal on Clearfield, UT Car Insurance

Finding better rates for Clearfield car insurance can seem to be nearly impossible for beginners to comparison shopping online. People have so many options that it can easily become a big hassle to locate the lowest price in Clearfield.

Components of your insurance rates

Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that go into determining the price you pay for car insurance. When you know what positively or negatively determines base rates enables informed choices that can help you get better car insurance rates.

• Performance level impacts rates – The make and model of the car you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates tend to be for small economy passenger cars, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Careers like judges, business owners and accountants tend to have higher rates than average because of high stress levels and long work days. On the flip side, professions such as scientists, athletes and retirees receive lower rates.
• Mature drivers pay less – Teen drivers in Utah are statistically proven to get distracted easily when behind the wheel so they pay higher car insurance rates. Older insureds are more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and tend to be better behind the wheel.
• High deductibles save money – Coverage for physical damage, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims are a windshield shattered by a rock, damage caused by hail, or theft. The deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend if you file a covered claim. The more money you have to pay, the less your company will charge you for insurance.
• Lower rates with optional equipment – Purchasing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Theft prevention devices such as vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping auto theft.

Are you getting all your discounts?

Car insurance can cost a lot, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you quote, but some must be specifically requested prior to getting the savings.

• Student in College – Children living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
• Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems help deter theft and will save you 10% or more.
• Paperwork-free – Some insurance companies will give a small break just for signing your application on their website.
• Accident Forgiveness – Some insurance companies will forgive one accident before raising your premiums so long as you haven’t had any claims for a set time period.
• Driver’s Ed – Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver’s ed class if offered at their school.

It’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your overall premium however.

To see a list of insurers offering car insurance discounts in Utah, follow this link.

Is there deception in advertising?

Car insurance providers like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all make an identical promise of big savings if you switch to their company. But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a certain “appetite” for the right customer they prefer to insure. For instance, a preferred risk could be between 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has a high credit rating. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Consumers who fall outside this ideal profile will be charged higher premiums and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much. That is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings.

That is why you absolutely need to compare as many rates as you can. You cannot predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Utah car insurance information

More information is located on the Utah Insurance Department website located here. Utah consumers can find out which companies have the most complaints, learn about specific coverages, and read industry bulletins.

Other useful links include this link for Utah coverage information and this page of insurance agents in Clearfield.

One last thing

Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how to compare car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from a smaller regional carrier.

Drivers switch companies for many reasons like denial of a claim, being labeled a high risk driver, delays in responding to claim requests or poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, finding the right car insurance provider can be easy and end up saving you some money.

Affordable car insurance is available on the web and also from your neighborhood Clearfield agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies may not provide online quoting and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.