Little Known Tricks to Saving Money on Palm Coast Auto Insurance

Tired of scraping the payment together each month for car insurance? You are no different than most other car owners in Florida. There are many insurers to purchase coverage from, and although it’s nice to be able to choose, having more insurance companies makes it harder to compare company pricing.

Buying affordable auto insurance in Palm Coast can be fairly easy. If you are insured now or are shopping for new coverage, you can learn to cut your premiums while maintaining coverages. Florida drivers just need to know the tricks to compare company rates online.

Auto Insurance Comparison Rates in Palm Coast, Florida

Comparing auto insurance rates can take time and effort if you don’t understand the easiest way. You could spend your day talking about coverages with local insurance agents in Palm Coast, or you can utilize online quoting to get rates in a matter of minutes.

Many popular insurance companies participate in an industry program that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and at least one company can give them a price based on the submitted data. This system prevents you from having to do quotation requests to every company.

To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to open in new window.

The only drawback to comparing rates this way is that consumers can’t choose which insurance companies you will receive quotes from. So if you prefer to pick individual companies for rate comparison, we have assembled a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Florida. Click here to view list.

It’s up to you which method you use, but ensure you are comparing exactly the same coverage information on every quote you get. If you have different limits and deductibles on each one it will be next to impossible to find the best deal in Palm Coast.

Auto insurance myths debunked

Consumers constantly see and hear ads for cheaper car insurance by companies like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all say the same thing that you can save if you change to them. save money in Palm Coast FL

How does each company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.

Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. A good example of a driver they prefer might be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, and has excellent credit. A propective insured who fits that profile gets the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential insureds who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will have to pay a higher premium and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads say “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much money. That’s why insurance companies can claim big savings.

Because of the profiling, it is so important to compare as many rates as you can. Because you never know which auto insurance company will fit your personal profile best.

Learn How to Lower your Rates

It’s important that you understand the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with much lower annual insurance costs.

You might want pay the small claims yourself – If you frequently file small claims, you can pretty much guarantee higher rates. Car insurance companies in Florida provide discounts to people who file claims infrequently. Insurance coverage is intended for the large, substantial claims.
Liability insurance protects assets – Liability coverage is the protection in the event that a jury decides you are liable for damages from an accident. Liability provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.
Save money with special equipment – Driving a car with an alarm system can save you a little every year. Theft prevention devices such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all hinder your car from being stolen.
Your age impacts your rates – More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, file fewer claims and tend to be better behind the wheel. Youthful drivers are known to get distracted easily when driving and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
Bundling policies can get discounts – The majority of companies provide better rates to people who buy several policies from them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. This can amount to anywhere from five to ten percent in most cases. Even if you’re getting this discount it’s in your best interest to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal. Consumers may find better rates by insuring with multiple companies.
What type of vehicle do you drive? – The performance level of the car you are insuring makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates tend to be for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles each year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting qualify for better rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
Do you need those extra coverages? – There are many add-on coverages that you can get tricked into buying when buying auto insurance. Coverages like rental car reimbursement, accidental death and motor club memberships are some examples. They may seem like a good idea when talking to your agent, but if you don’t need them get rid of them and save.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but companies offer discounts to reduce the price significantly. Certain discounts will be applied at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be specifically requested before they will apply. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Seat Belts Save – Requiring all passengers to buckle their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Memberships – Participating in a qualifying organization may earn a discount when shopping for auto insurance.
Safe Driver Discount – Drivers who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than drivers with accident claims.
Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
Student in College – Any of your kids who live away from home and do not have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.

It’s important to note that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies wouldn’t make money that way. Any amount of discount will cut your overall premium however.

For a list of insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Palm Coast, click here.

How do I know if I need professional advice?

When choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.

If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Florida?
Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
How much liability coverage do I need in Florida?
When should I not file a claim?
Is my cargo covered for damage or theft?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

A little work can save a LOT of money

Affordable auto insurance can be found from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Palm Coast agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best rate selection. Some auto insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.

We covered some good ideas how you can save on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even discover the lowest premiums are with a small local company. Some small companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than their larger competitors like Progressive and GEICO.

More information is located on the website for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation through this link. Consumers can file complaints about a company, read industry bulletins, and read state legal mandates and laws.