Cheshire, CT Auto Insurance Buying Tips You Aren’t Supposed to Know

Shopping for the cheapest Cheshire auto insurance on the web can be somewhat difficult for people who are new to buying insurance on the web. With a ridiculous number of insurers available, how can you effectively compare every company to locate the best price?

Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Cheshire, Connecticut

All major auto insurance companies quote prices on the web. Obtaining pricing is fairly simple as you just enter your coverage preferences into a form. After the form is submitted, their system will order information on your driving record and credit history and returns a price quote.

Online quotes makes comparing rates easy, but the process of having to visit different websites and fill out multiple forms is repetitive and time-consuming. But it’s absolutely necessary to get many rate quotes in order to find lower prices.

Quote rates the easy way

A quicker way to get multiple rate quotes requires only one form to obtain quotes from a bunch of companies at once. It’s a real time-saver, requires less work, and makes rate comparisons much easier to do. Once the form is submitted, it is quoted and you are able to buy your choice of the returned quotes.

If you find a better price you can click and sign and buy the new coverage. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes and may result in a nice savings.

To find out what other companies charge, simply click here to open in new window and fill out the form. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you complete the form with the coverages identical to your current policy. This way, you will have an apples-to-apples comparison based on identical coverages.

Misconceptions in auto insurance advertisements

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive continually stream ads on television and other media. They all make an identical promise of big savings after switching to them. But how can every company say the same thing? This is how they do it.

All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that is profitable for them. For instance, a desirable insured could be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has a high credit rating. Any driver who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don’t meet the requirements will have to pay a more expensive rate and ends up with business not being written. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do.

Because of the profiling, you need to get quotes from several different companies. It’s impossible to know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Lower your Cheshire Auto Insurance Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that help determine auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.

• Poor credit can mean higher rates – A driver’s credit score is a important factor in your rate calculation. Therefore, if your credit is lower than you’d like, you could potentially save money when insuring your by repairing your credit. People with high credit scores tend to be more responsible than drivers who have poor credit.
• Your stress level may be raising your rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like real estate brokers, social workers and financial analysts have higher average rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. Conversely, professions such as actors, engineers and homemakers get better rates.
• Your age impacts your rates – Young drivers in Connecticut have a tendency to get distracted easily in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers are more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and receive fewer citations.
• Multiple policies with one company can save – Most insurers will give a discount to people who buy several policies from them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. Discounts can add up to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, it’s in your best interest to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal.
• Rate your vehicle for proper use – The higher the mileage driven each year the higher your rate. Most companies apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Autos left parked in the garage get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Make sure your auto insurance declarations sheet is showing the correct usage for each vehicle.
• Do you have enough liability coverage? – Liability insurance is the protection when you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides for a legal defense up to the limits shown on your policy. Liability insurance is quite affordable compared to physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there are discounts available that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts apply automatically when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about before they will apply.

• Air Bag Discount – Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of up to 25% or more.
• E-sign – Some insurance companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
• New Car Discount – Insuring a new car is cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
• College Student – Kids in college who are attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
• Seat Belt Usage – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
• Federal Government Employee – Active or retired federal employment may qualify you for a discount with certain companies.
• Anti-theft Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Service Members Pay Less – Having a deployed family member can result in better rates.
• One Accident Forgiven – A handful of insurance companies permit an accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear for a set time period.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.

To see a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Cheshire, click here to view.

But I want to work with a local agent

Some people would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find better rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from local businesses is definitely important in Cheshire.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this simple form, your information is emailed to participating agents in Cheshire who will give you bids for your business. You never need to leave your house due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. Now that’s easy! Get lower rates AND a local agent.

Best insurance agent in Cheshire

When researching a good Cheshire insurance agent, there are two types of agencies that you can select. Agencies in Cheshire are either captive or independent (non-captive).

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents for maximum quote selection. They often place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.

The following are Cheshire independent insurance agencies who may be able to give you competitive price quotes.

• Cheshire Agency – 615 W Johnson Ave # 202 – Cheshire, CT 06410 – (203) 250-9099
• Plourde Agency – 1484 Highland Ave – Cheshire, CT 06410 – (203) 272-0274
• Bristol Insurance Inc – 195 S Main St – Cheshire, CT 06410 – (203) 272-3567
• Perry Insurance Assoc Inc – 355 Highland Ave # 201 – Cheshire, CT 06410 – (203) 250-5929
• Edward P Gaudio Agency – 1030 S Main St – Cheshire, CT 06410 – (203) 272-2925

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents work for only one company and examples are American Family, State Farm and Allstate. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives mainly due to high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.

The following are Cheshire captive agents that can give you price quote information.

• Allstate Insurance – 3 Cedar Ln – Cheshire, CT 06410 – (203) 271-1778

To view a full list of captive insurance agencies in Cheshire, visit this site.

Choosing an insurance agency shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:

• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
• If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
• Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
• If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
• Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to a car insurance agent that meets your needs to adequately provide auto insurance.

Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal

When shopping online for auto insurance, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced full coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Consumers who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, lack of trust in their agent, denial of a claim and high rates after DUI convictions. Whatever your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.

Budget-conscious auto insurance is attainable on the web and also from your neighborhood Cheshire agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

Additional auto insurance information is available on the Connecticut Insurance Department website through this link. Visitors are able to learn about specific coverages, get help finding coverage, and read consumer alerts.