Insider Techniques for Low-Cost Kalispell Auto Insurance

Finding lower rates for Kalispell auto insurance is always challenging for beginners to shopping for insurance online. People have so many options available that it can turn into a lot of work to find lower rates in Kalispell.

It’s a good idea to shop coverage around on a regular basis because rates are usually higher with each renewal. If you had the lowest rates a year ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate one of the quickest ways to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Finding cheaper coverage in Kalispell is simple if you know the tricks. Just about every driver who has to buy auto insurance stands a good chance to be able to find lower rates. Nevertheless, Montana drivers do need to understand the methods companies use to sell online and apply this information to your search.

How to Get Auto Insurance in Kalispell, MT

There are several ways of comparing rates from different in Kalispell, MTinsurance companies. The best way to find the cheapest insurance rates involves getting comparison quotes online. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.

The best way to compare a lot of rates at once would be an industry-wide quote request form (click to open form in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do separate quote forms to each individual auto insurance company. A single, simple form compares rates from multiple companies. It’s the fastest way to compare.

A slightly less efficient method to get comparison quotes requires a trip to the website for every company you want to comare and fill out their own quote form. For instance, let’s assume you want rates from Auto-Owners, State Farm and Liberty Mutual. To get each rate you have to visit each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a list of links to insurance companies in Kalispell, click here.

The least efficient way of getting rate comparisons is to waste gas driving to insurance agents’ offices. Buying insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you prefer the professional guidance only provided by licensed agents. Drivers can get prices online but buy from a local insurance agent.

However you get your quotes, make absolute certain that you use identical coverages and limits for each price quote. If each company quotes different limits and deductibles on each one it will be impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Kalispell. Slightly different coverages could mean much higher rates. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes provides better odds of finding better pricing.

Lots of discounts mean lots of savings

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there could be available discounts to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically before they will apply.

Theft Prevention System – Anti-theft and alarm systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
Sign Online – Some insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy digitally online.
Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company you may earn approximately 10% to 15%.
Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with certain professional organizations may earn a discount on auto insurance.
Good Student Discount – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
Student in College – Any of your kids who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for multiple vehicles on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.

It’s important to note that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. But any discount will help reduce the amount you have to pay. save money concept

For a list of insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Montana, follow this link.

What determines how much you pay?

Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that come into play when calculating your auto insurance rates. Understanding what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in big savings.

Teen drivers pay high rates – Young drivers in Montana are statistically proven to be less responsible when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets.
Theft deterrents lower rates – Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention features such as tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Where do you drive? – Driving more miles every year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies apply a rate based on their usage. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Do you work long hours in a high stress job? – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Jobs such as real estate brokers, business owners and accountants tend to pay higher rates than average in part from high stress and long work hours. On the flip side, occupations such as scientists, athletes and homemakers have the lowest average rates.
High credit ratings translate to low rates – A driver’s credit rating is a big factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Drivers with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records as compared to drivers with lower ratings. If your credit rating can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your rating.
Traffic violations increase rates – Drivers who don’t get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one speeding ticket can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who get severe violations such as DUI or reckless driving may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility to the state department of motor vehicles in order to drive a vehicle legally.
Do men or women drive better? – Statistics have proven women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. They both cause accidents at a similar rate, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically receive more costly citations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are the most expensive to insure and therefore are the most expensive to insure.

Car Insurance through a local agent

Some people would rather sit down with an agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the lowest rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from small agencies is definitely important in Kalispell.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your insurance data is instantly submitted to companies in Kalispell who will compete for your business. You won’t need to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. How cool is that?! Get lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to.

Below are Kalispell insurers who can help you get rate quotes.

Marty Gemmer Agency – 720 2nd St E, Kalispell, MT 59901 – (406) 752-4613
J & H Insurance – 947 S Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901 – (406) 756-8058
Mike Grachek Insurance – 409 1st Ave E # A, Kalispell, MT 59901 – (406) 755-4000

For a full directory of insurance agents in Kalispell, go to this page.

Deciding on an insurance company requires more thought than just the premium amount. Here are some questions to ask:

Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
Are they full-time agents?
Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
How often do they review policy coverages?

Once you have reasonable responses to all your questions as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found a company that meets your needs to adequately provide auto insurance.

Additional information can be read on the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website. Click here for link. Montana consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find out industry alerts, learn about insurance regulations, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Misconceptions in auto insurance advertisements

Auto insurance providers like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive constantly bombard you with television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing that you’ll save big if you switch to them. How does each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies can use profiling for the driver they prefer to insure. A good example of a desirable insured might be over the age of 50, has no tickets, and drives newer vehicles. Any driver who meets those qualifications will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Drivers who fall outside the “perfect” profile must pay higher premiums which leads to business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That’s the way companies can truthfully advertise the savings.

This illustrates why it is so important to get as many quotes as possible. You cannot predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.

Do the work, save more money

Consumers switch companies for any number of reasons including extreme rates for teen drivers, lack of trust in their agent, delays in paying claims and not issuing a premium refund. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new auto insurance company can be less work than you think.

In this article, we presented a lot of tips how to lower your auto insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. Consumers may even find the biggest savings come from a smaller regional carrier.

When buying insurance coverage, make sure you don’t reduce needed coverages to save money. There are too many instances where someone dropped liability coverage limits and discovered at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The aim is to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price.