Ultimate Techniques for the Cheapest Vancouver, WA Car Insurance

Sick and tired of not being able to afford to buy car insurance? You are no different than many other Washington drivers.

Because there are so many car insurance companies to choose from, it’s nearly impossible to locate the best company.

It’s important to compare Vancouver car insurance rates before your policy renews because prices tend to go up over time. Even if you think you had the best rates on your last policy you can probably find a lower rate today. Starting right now, ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn how to use online quotes to find lower rates on car insurance.

Compare the Market for Car Insurance in Vancouver, WA

When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways of comparing rates from local in Vancouver, WAcar insurance companies. The recommended way to find the lowest rates is simply to get online rate quotes. This is very easy and can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

Probably the best way to get the best comparison quotes is an all-inclusive rate comparison like this one (opens in new window). This easy form prevents you from having to do separate quotes for each company. One quote request will return quotes from multiple low-cost companies.

A slightly less efficient method to get comparison quotes requires a trip to each company website and complete a new quote form. For sake of this example, let’s say you want comparison quotes from Allstate, GEICO and GMAC. To get rate quotes you would need to spend time on each company’s site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular.

For a handy list of car insurance company links in Vancouver, click here.

Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use the exact same coverage limits for every quote you compare. If you enter higher or lower deductibles it’s not possible to make a fair comparison in Vancouver. Slightly different limits can mean a large discrepancy in price. Just remember that obtaining a wide range of quotes gives you a better chance of getting lower pricing.

Pay less by taking advantage of discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always advertise all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of both the well known and the more hidden ways to save on car insurance.

• Passive Restraint Discount – Factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
• Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
• Driver Safety – Completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
• Multiple Cars – Buying insurance for all your vehicles on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• Senior Discount – Older drivers can possibly qualify for reduced rates.
• Early Switch Discount – Some companies give discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
• Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than less cautious drivers.
• Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver’s education in school.

A little note about advertised discounts, some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.

For a list of insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts in Vancouver, click here.

Your coverage should be tailored to you

When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there is no cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether or not you might need professional guidance.

• Are rental cars covered under my policy?
• When should I remove comp and collision on my vehicle?
• Why is insurance for a teen driver so high in Vancouver?
• Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
• Is business property covered if stolen from my car?
• Do I need motorclub coverage?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or go to this page to view a list of companies.

Even more information can be read at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner website. Washington drivers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, download brochures, and view a list of available companies.

Online plus local equals savings

We’ve covered a lot of techniques to reduce car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the best prices are with the smaller companies. Smaller companies can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive or GEICO.

When buying insurance coverage, don’t be tempted to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many instances, an insured cut collision coverage and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.