Professional Tips to Cheaper Atlanta Georgia Auto Insurance

If price shopping auto insurance online is new to you, it’s easy to get confused by the hoards of online auto insurance companies and websites all offering big savings in Atlanta.

It’s a good habit to do rate comparisons periodically due to the fact that insurance rates tend to go up over time. Even if you think you had the lowest price a couple years back you will most likely find a better rate today. Starting right now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to show you how to use online quotes to lower your annual insurance bill.

What impacts Atlanta insurance rates?

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that play a part in calculating your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to big savings.

Shown below are a few of the “ingredients” companies use to determine prices.

  • Being married can save on auto insurance – Having a wife or husband helps lower the price on your auto insurance policy. It means you’re more mature and statistics show married couples file fewer claims.
  • Liability coverage is cheap – Liability coverage is the protection if ever you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability insurance provides legal defense starting from day one. This coverage is very inexpensive when compared with rates for comp and collision, so buy as much as you can afford.
  • Performance level impacts rates – The performance of the car you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in how high your rates are. Economy passenger vehicles generally have the cheapest insurance rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
  • Extra add-on coverages are wasting money – There are a lot of add-on coverages you can purchase on your auto insurance policy. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and term life insurance may be costing you every month. These may sound like a good investment at first, but if they’re wasting money eliminate them to save money.
  • Don’t cancel a policy without a new one in place – Allowing your coverage to lapse is a guaranteed way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance might get you a revoked license or a big fine.
  • The more you drive the more you pay – The more miles you rack up on your car every year the higher your rates will be. Almost all companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Vehicles not used for work or commuting get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Ask your agent if your auto insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.

Do you qualify for discounts?

Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find some of the best known and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance.

  • Senior Citizens – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive a small decrease in premiums.
  • Accident Waiver – Some insurance companies permit an accident before raising your premiums if your claims history is clear for a set time period.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
  • Accident Free – Drivers with accident-free driving histories can save substantially when compared to drivers who are more careless.
  • Distant Student – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
  • Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accidents.
  • Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
  • Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can get savings of 20% or more.
  • Homeowners Discount – Owning a house in Atlanta may earn you a small savings because owning a home shows financial diligence.

A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky.

Neighborhood agents for auto insurance

A small number of people just want to buy from a local agent and that is OK! The best thing about comparing rates online is you may find the best rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After completing this short form, the coverage information is submitted to insurance agents in Atlanta who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. How cool is that?! You’ll get the best rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.Car insurance in Georgia

Deciding on an insurance company requires more thought than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:

  • Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
  • If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
  • If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
  • Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?

The different types of insurance agents

When searching for local Atlanta agents, there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Agents are either captive or independent (non-captive).

Agency Captives

This type of agents have only one company to place business with like Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.

Shown below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Atlanta that are able to give rate quotes.

  • Liberty Mutual Insurance – 3695 Cascade Rd SW # J – Atlanta, GA 30331 – (404) 691-8662
  • State Farm Insurance – 3041 Northeast Expy NE – Atlanta, GA 30341 – (770) 452-1485
  • Allstate Insurance – 6323 Peachtree Industrial Blvd – Atlanta, GA 30360 – (770) 451-0315
Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to include at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with lesser-known insurance companies which can be an advantage.

The following is a list of independent agents in Atlanta that can give you comparison quotes.

  • Standard Equity Agency – 5901 Peachtree Dunwdy Rd # C – Atlanta, GA 30328 – (770) 394-3700
  • Action Auto Agency – 2555 Bolton Rd NW – Atlanta, GA 30318 – (404) 581-9922
  • Asher Agency – 2460 Peachtree Rd NW # 103 – Atlanta, GA 30305 – (404) 231-3253
  • Perimeter Insurance – 3340 Buford Hwy NE – Atlanta, GA 30329 – (678) 999-0400
  • King and Brim Insurance Inc – 6111 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE – Atlanta, GA 30328 – (404) 522-9411

For a complete listing of Atlanta insurance agents, go to this page.

After getting satisfactory 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.

Georgia car insurance prices

Additional consumer information websites

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner website. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, find disaster information, find out industry alerts, and read industry bulletins.

Smart consumers save more

Budget-conscious auto insurance is definitely available online and also from your neighborhood Atlanta agents, so you should compare both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies may not provide online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers only sell through independent insurance agents.

As you shop your coverage around, it’s very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. Too many times, someone sacrificed collision coverage and discovered at claim time that it was a big error on their part. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.

Insureds leave their current company for a number of reasons such as delays in paying claims, unfair underwriting practices, questionable increases in premium or high prices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.