8 Ways to Cut Your Car Insurance Cost in Lisbon

Finding affordable Lisbon car insurance is difficult for people who are new to shopping for insurance online. There are so many companies to choose from that it can quickly become a lot of work to find lower rates in Lisbon.

It’s important to compare rates once or twice a year since insurance rates fluctuate regularly. If you had the best deal six months ago you may be paying too much now. Starting now, block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn how to use the internet to save on car insurance.

If you have insurance now or are looking for a new policy, you will benefit by learning to find better prices and still get good coverage. The purpose of this post is to teach you the most effective way to quote insurance and some tricks to saving. Maine consumers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to buy car insurance over the internet.

Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine the price you pay for car insurance. Knowing what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get better car insurance rates.

The following are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine your rates.

• Increase deductibles and save – Deductibles for physical damage define the amount you are willing to pay out-of-pocket before a claim is paid by your company. Physical damage insurance, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, insures against damage to your car. Examples of covered claims would be running into the backend of another car, damage from fire, or theft. The more you’re willing to pay, the less your car insurance will be.
• Too many car insurance claims drive up costs – Auto insurance companies in Maine generally give discounts to drivers who file claims infrequently. If you are a frequent claim filer, you can look forward to higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
• More miles equals more premium – The more you drive in a year’s time the more you will pay for car insurance. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on their usage. Autos not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your car insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
• Never allow your policy to lapse – Driving without insurance is against the law and car insurance companies will penalize you for letting your coverage have a gap. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may have to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Maine motor vehicle department to get your license reinstated.
• Bad driving skills means higher rates – Even a single citation can increase rates by as much as thirty percent. Good drivers receive lower rates than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to drive a vehicle legally.
• Battle of the sexes – Statistics have proven women tend to be less risk to insure than men. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women are BETTER drivers than men. They both tend to get into accidents at a similar rate, but the men cause more damage. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are most likely to cause an accident and therefore have the most expensive car insurance rates.
• Safe vehicles cost less to insure – Cars with high safety ratings are cheaper to insure. These vehicles protect occupants better and better occupant protection translates into savings for insurance companies passed on to you as lower rates.

More discounts equal less premium

Car insurance companies don’t always list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Drive Less and Save – Fewer annual miles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
• Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class in high school.
• Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you may reduce your total bill.
• Discount for Life Insurance – Larger companies have a break if you buy life insurance from them.
• Own a Home – Owning a house in Lisbon may trigger a car insurance policy discount because owning a home requires personal responsibility.
• Lower Rates for Military – Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
• Accident Waiver – Certain companies allow you one accident before your rates go up so long as you haven’t had any claims for a certain period of time.
• Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.

Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.

To choose insurers offering car insurance discounts in Lisbon, click this link.

But don’t I need an insurance agent?

Some people would rather talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find the best rates but also keep your business local.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to participating agents in Lisbon who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. Now that’s easy!

Selecting an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just the price. These are valid questions to ask:

• Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
• Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
• Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
• Do they assist clients in filing claims?
• Which company do they place the most coverage with?

Choose an insurance agent wisely

When searching for an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple different agency structures that you can select. Lisbon agents are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they differ since it may influence the selection process.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies write business for a single company like Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They generally cannot give you multiple price quotes so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Some consumers prefer to buy insurance from these agents mainly due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from at least one independent agent for the best price selection. They often place coverage with smaller regional carriers which can save you money.

Shown below is a short list of independent agents in Lisbon who can help you get price quotes.

• LA Roche Insurance – 224 Lisbon St – Lisbon, ME 04250 – (207) 353-8332

To view a full list of insurance agents in Lisbon, please go to this site.

Once you have received acceptable answers to any questions you have and an affordable coverage quote, most likely you have located an insurance agency that will properly insure your vehicles.

When might I need help?

When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.

These are some specific questions may help you determine if your situation will benefit from professional help.

• If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
• How many claims can I have before being cancelled?
• Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
• Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
• Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
• Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
• Do I need rental car coverage?
• Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Maine?
• Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?

If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Additional consumer information websites

Even more information is available at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, read industry bulletins, and learn about insurance regulations.

The following information may also be useful.

• Tightwads Instructions on Saving on Lisbon North Dakota Auto Insurance

Keep this in mind

Cheap car insurance is possible both online in addition to many Lisbon insurance agents, so compare prices from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

In this article, we presented many ways to compare car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even find the lowest premiums are with some of the lesser-known companies.

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There are too many instances where an accident victim reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.