Uncover Consumer Tested Strategies to Save on Watertown South Dakota Auto Insurance

Are you a victim of an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, many consumers are feeling buyer’s remorse and feel like there’s no way out. Since consumers have many options when it comes to auto insurance, it can be impossible to locate the cheapest insurer.

Lower your Watertown Auto Insurance Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get big savings.

The list below includes a few of the “ingredients” companies use to determine your rates.

• Pay less after the wedding – Having a spouse can actually save you money on auto insurance. Having a spouse means you’re more mature and responsible and it’s statistically proven that being married results in fewer claims.
• Don’t cancel a policy without a new one in place – Driving with no insurance is illegal and as a result your rates will increase for letting your coverage lapse. Not only will you pay more, but not being able to provide proof of insurance will get you a revoked license or a big fine.
• Frequent auto insurance claims increase rates – If you are a frequent claim filer, you can expect either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Companies in South Dakota award discounts to insureds who are claim-free. Auto insurance is meant to be used in the event of the bigger claims that can’t be paid out-of-pocket.
• Cautious drivers pay less – Even one speeding ticket can increase rates forty percent or more. Good drivers receive lower rates than their less careful counterparts. If you have dangerous violations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may find they need to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
• High performance equals high price – The type of vehicle you drive makes a huge difference in determining your rates. Low performance passenger cars receive the most favorable rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Better credit scores mean better rates – A driver’s credit rating is a important factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores. If your credit score can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by repairing your credit.
• More miles equals more premium – Driving more miles in a year’s time the higher your rate. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage can get a lower rate compared to those used for work or business. Verify your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
• Do you have a high stress job? – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as doctors, business owners and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates because of high stress levels and long work hours. Other jobs such as farmers, historians and performers have the lowest average rates.

Take discounts and save

Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available to help bring down the price. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be specifically requested before you get the savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

• Own a Home – Being a homeowner may trigger a auto insurance policy discount because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
• Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you can possibly qualify for better auto insurance rates.
• Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
• Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could cut as much as 10% off with select insurance companies.
• Bundle and Save – If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
• Braking Control Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.

Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way. Any amount of discount will bring down the cost of coverage.

To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in South Dakota, follow this link.

The auto insurance bait and switch

South Dakota consumers can’t get away from ads for the lowest price auto insurance by companies like State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all say the same thing of big savings if you switch to them.

How does each company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.

All companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that is profitable for them. An example of a preferred risk might be profiled as over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Consumers who do not match this ideal profile will be charged more money and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That is how companies can advertise the savings.

That is why you absolutely need to compare many company’s rates. You cannot predict which company will give you the biggest savings.

Additional consumer information websites

Much more information about auto insurance in South Dakota is located on the website for the South Dakota Division of Insurance through this link. Consumers can view a list of available companies, find disaster information, and find out industry alerts.

Buy online or local, you save

Cheap auto insurance can be bought both online in addition to many Watertown insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some auto insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, do not reduce needed coverages to save money. Too many times, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price.