Are you confused by the number of car insurance choices in Gresham? Many other consumers are too. Consumers have so many companies to choose from that it can easily become a challenge to find lower rates.
Consumers should take time to take a look at other company’s rates every six months because prices are usually higher with each renewal. If you had the best price a few years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. You can find a lot of wrong information about car insurance on the internet, so with this article, you’re going to get the easiest ways to quit paying high car insurance rates.
Don’t overlook these discounts
Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise every available discount very well, so here is a list some of the best known and the more hidden car insurance savings. If you don’t get every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- E-sign – A few companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy on their website.
- Passive Restraint Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of more than 20%.
- Anti-theft System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Federal Government Employee – Simply working for the federal government may qualify you for a discount depending on your company.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.
- Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Claim Free – Good drivers with no accidents can earn big discounts as compared to drivers who are more careless.
A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky.
Learn How to Buy Car Insurance Cheaper
It’s important that you understand some of the elements that play a part in calculating your car insurance rates. Understanding what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.
- Battle of the sexes – Statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that women are better drivers. Women and men are in accidents at about the same rate, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also receive more costly citations such as DWI and reckless driving.
- What type of vehicle do you drive? – The make and model of the car you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. Small economy passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
- Never allow your policy to lapse – Not having insurance is a misdemeanor and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance lapse. Not only will you pay more, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.Then you may be required to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the Oregon DMV.
- Lower rates with optional equipment – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can save you a little every year. Anti-theft devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
- Your occupation can affect rates – Occupations such as doctors, executives and financial analysts tend to have higher average rates in part from high stress and long work hours. Conversely, jobs such as farmers, engineers and retirees receive lower rates.
- Don’t buy coverages you don’t need – There are quite a few extra bells and whistles you can purchase on your car insurance policy. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and additional equipment coverage are some examples. These coverages may sound good when talking to your agent, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
- Safe vehicles cost less to insure – Safer cars get lower rates. Safer cars result in less severe injuries and lower injury rates translates into savings for insurance companies and thus lower rates.
- More claims means more premium – If you frequently file small claims, you can definitely plan on either higher rates or even cancellation. Auto insurance companies in Oregon award cheaper rates to drivers who file claims infrequently. Car insurance is meant to be used in the event of major claims that would cause financial hardship.
Buying car insurance locally
Some consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent and that is a personal choice. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find better rates but still work with a licensed agent.
Once you complete this quick form, the quote information is submitted to companies in Gresham who will return price quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to leave your computer as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!
Picking an provider should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:
- Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Who are their largest clients?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Oregon?
Two types of Gresham insurance agents
When finding a good Gresham insurance agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures that you can select. Gresham agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can write coverage properly, but it’s good to learn how they are different because it can influence the type of agent you choose
Captive Agents
These agents can only place business with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. These agents are trained well on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives primarily because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Listed below are Gresham captive agencies who can help you get price quote information.
- Farmers Insurance Group – 2053 NE Burnside Rd # 100a – Gresham, OR 97030 – (503) 667-0671
- Allstate Insurance – 21721 SE Stark St – Gresham, OR 97030 – (503) 665-5125
- American Family Insurance – 1217 NE Burnside Rd # 703 – Gresham, OR 97030 – (503) 491-9441
- State Farm Insurance – 2710 SE 182nd Ave – Gresham, OR 97030 – (503) 667-1091
Independent Agents
Independent agencies do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When comparison shopping, you should always include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison.Most can insure with different regional companies who may have lower rates.
The following is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Gresham that are able to give comparison quotes.
- Wilmarth Insurance – 1217 NE Burnside Rd # 601 – Gresham, OR 97030 – (503) 489-1809
- Arends Insurance – 55 E Powell Blvd – Gresham, OR 97030 – (503) 665-4149
For a full directory of Gresham insurance agents, go to this page.
Once you have satisfactory answers for all questions you ask and locked in a price quote, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that will service your policy.
Do car insurance companies bend the truth?
Oregon drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by companies like Geico, State Farm and Progressive. They all make the same claim that you’ll save big after switching to them.
But how can every company say the same thing?
Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be profiled as between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has a short commute. A customer who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and most likely will save quite a bit of money when switching.
Drivers who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher prices which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That’s the way insurance companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why it’s extremely important to compare as many rates as you can. You cannot predict which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Even more information can be read at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Consumers can learn about insurance regulations, view a list of available companies, read consumer alerts, and get help finding coverage.
Online plus local equals savings
Lower-priced car insurance can be purchased online as well as from independent agents in Gresham, so compare prices from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some car insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
Insureds who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as lack of trust in their agent, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, unfair underwriting practices or high rates after DUI convictions. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company is not as hard as you think.
We just presented many ways to lower your car insurance rates. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers could even find that the biggest savings come from an unexpected company.