Little Known Techniques to Cheaper Clarksdale, MS Auto Insurance

Shopping for low-cost Clarksdale auto insurance over the internet can seem to be intimidating for consumers not familiar with online price comaprisons. With so many choices of insurers available, how can anyone even start to compare them all to find the lowest price?

Don’t overlook these discounts

Companies don’t always publicize all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

Payment Discounts – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time rather than paying monthly you can actually save on your bill.
Defensive Driving Course – Completing a defensive driving course can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
Sign Online – Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing digitally online.
Auto/Life Discount – Larger companies have a break if you buy life insurance from them.
Employee of Federal Government – Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% with a few auto insurance companies.
Resident Student – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus may qualify for this discount.
No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a set time period.
Save over 55 – Older drivers may be able to get better auto insurance rates.
Military Discounts – Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.

It’s important to note that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Just because you may think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you’re out of luck.

To choose insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Mississippi, click here to view.

But I prefer to buy car insurance from an agent

Certain consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent and that is OK! Professional agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

By using this short form, your information is emailed to local insurance agents in Clarksdale who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You won’t need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. It doesn’t get any easier!

Deciding on a company shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
Can glass repairs be made at your home?

Is a captive or independent auto insurance agent right for you?

When researching an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Clarksdale are classified as either captive or independent. Both write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it can impact your selection of an agent.

Captive Agents

Captive insurance agents are contracted to one company like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so keep that in mind. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives primarily because of high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

The following is a short list of captive agents in Clarksdale who can help you get price quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 215 Sharkey Ave – Clarksdale, MS 38614 – (662) 624-4814
State Farm Insurance – 1015 Lee Dr – Clarksdale, MS 38614 – (662) 627-7215

Independent Agents

Independent agents are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When comparing rates, it’s recommended you get quotes from at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices. They often place coverage with smaller companies which can save you money.

Below is a short list of independent insurance agents in Clarksdale that are able to give rate quotes.

Delta Insurance and Mortgage – 523 Desoto Ave – Clarksdale, MS 38614 – (662) 624-6688
Harmon Cox Insurance – 1612 Herrin St – Clarksdale, MS 38614 – (662) 624-9489

To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Clarksdale, visit this link.

After receiving acceptable answers for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, you may have just found a car insurance agent that can provide auto insurance coverage.

The fine print in auto insurance ads

Mississippi drivers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance from the likes of 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save if you move your coverage to them.

How can each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that is profitable for them. A good example of a driver they prefer might be over the age of 50, owns a home, and drives newer vehicles. Any driver that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Potential insureds who fall outside the requirements must pay a more expensive rate and ends up with business not being written. The ad wording is “customers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This illustrates why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It is impossible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Additional Mississippi consumer information

More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Mississippi Insurance Department website. Consumers can learn about specific coverages, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read consumer alerts.

Best coverage at the best price

We’ve covered some good ideas how you can reduce auto insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the best price on auto insurance is with a smaller regional carrier.

People leave their current company for many reasons like lack of trust in their agent, being labeled a high risk driver, not issuing a premium refund or even denial of a claim. Whatever your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is actually quite simple.

Discount auto insurance is available both online in addition to many Clarksdale insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.