8 Tricks Shown to Save Money on Car Insurance Costs in West Bend

Shopping for affordable West Bend car insurance online can seem to be challenging for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. With so many choices of companies competing online, how can West Bend drivers have a chance to compare every one to find the lowest rates?

You need to take a look at other company’s rates yearly because rates tend to go up over time. Just because you had the lowest rates six months ago other companies may now be cheaper. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the right way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.

The purpose of this post is to teach you how to effectively get price quotes and some tips to save money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to save some money using these tips. But Wisconsin vehicle owners should learn the methods companies use to price online insurance and use this information to your advantage.

Cut your premium with these eight discounts

The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, buy you may qualify for discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some discounts apply automatically when you complete an application, but a few need to be requested specifically before they will apply.

Military Rewards – Having a family member in the military may qualify for rate reductions.
Drive Less and Save – Fewer annual miles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
Discount for Good Grades – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
Sign Early and Save – Some companies give discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. It can save you around 10%.
Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of monthly or quarterly installments you may reduce your total bill.
Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles with factory air bags can qualify for discounts of up to 25% or more.
Senior Citizens – Older drivers can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
Save with a New Car – Adding a new car to your policy can be considerably cheaper since new cars are generally safer.

It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will cut the cost of coverage.

To choose insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in West Bend, click this link.

When might I need the advice of an agent?

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.

Do I need motorclub coverage?
Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
I have good health insurance, so how much medical payments coverage do I need?
Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Wisconsin?
When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
What are Wisconsin no-fault laws?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.

Neighborhood insurance agents

Some consumers just want to buy from a licensed agent and that is just fine! One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. Supporting local insurance agencies is important especially in West Bend.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your information is submitted to companies in West Bend who will return price quotes to get your business. You never need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How cool is that?! It’s the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.

The type of insurance agent you choose is important

When researching a good West Bend insurance agent, you need to know there are two different types of agents to choose from. West Bend agents are categorized either captive or independent.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.

Shown below are West Bend independent agencies that may be able to provide price quotes.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px;" src="https://www.findnewcarinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-91.jpg" alt="Wisconsin auto insurance“/>

Dick Staver Agency – 2395 W Washington St # 102 – West Bend, WI 53095 – (262) 334-2898
Shannon Wink Agency – 3714 W Washington St – West Bend, WI 53095 – (262) 338-8604
West Bend Mutual Insurance – 603 Cabrini Cir – West Bend, WI 53095 – (262) 334-9608
Gulf Insurance Co – 1900 Camden Ln – West Bend, WI 53090 – (262) 334-5623

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents work for only one company and some examples include State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents are trained well on the products they sell which can be an advantage. Consumers sometimes choose to use a captive agent mainly due to high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.

The following is a short list of captive agents in West Bend that can give you comparison quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 1717 W Paradise Dr – West Bend, WI 53095 – (262) 334-1100

To view a complete directory of car insurance agents in West Bend, click here to link.

Picking an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
How are claims handled?

After receiving answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to provide car insurance coverage.

Parts of your car insurance policy

Learning about specific coverages of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as fire damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding, theft and a broken windshield. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your vehicle.

Due to the fact that many Wisconsin drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (Wisconsin limits are 50/100/55), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.

Insurance for medical payments – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for bills such as dental work, prosthetic devices and rehabilitation expenses. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Coverage for liability – Liability insurance provides protection from damage that occurs to other people or property that is your fault. It protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see limits of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things like funeral expenses, repair costs for stationary objects, structural damage and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. Wisconsin requires drivers to carry at least 50,000/100,000/55,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

Collision – Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision insurance covers things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch, hitting a parking meter, colliding with a tree and scraping a guard rail. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.

More information about car insurance

More information is located on the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance website. Click here for link. Wisconsin consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, learn about specific coverages, and discover disciplinary actions.

Compare but don’t skimp

Lower-priced car insurance is definitely available from both online companies as well as from independent agents in West Bend, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some companies don’t offer online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

As you restructure your insurance plan, do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. In many instances, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price.

Insureds who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including poor customer service, denial of a claim, questionable increases in premium and high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch finding a new car insurance company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.