If you’re new to shopping for , it’s easy to be overwhelmed thanks to the huge assortment of insurers that all say they have the best rates.
If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to save some money using these methods. Locating cheaper coverage in Fort Scott is simple if you know the tricks. But Kansas drivers can benefit by having an understanding of how the larger insurance companies market insurance on the web.
These discounts can lower your auto insurance rates
Auto insurance is not inexpensive, but you might already qualify for some discounts to cut the cost considerably. Certain credits will be shown when you get a quote, but less common discounts must be manually applied prior to getting the savings.
- Good Student – Getting good grades can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
- Driving Data Discount – Policyholders that allow their company to monitor driving manner through the use of a telematics system such as In-Drive from State Farm or Allstate’s Drivewise system may get a rate reduction as long as they are good drivers.
- Include Life Insurance and Save – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn lower auto insurancerates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
- Air Bags and Passive Restraints – Factory air bags can receive discounts of 20% or more.
- Seat Belt Discounts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could save 15% on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as comp or med pay. Despite the fact that it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But any discount will definitely lower your policy premiums.
Some companies who may offer most of the discounts above include:
If you want , ask every company to give you their best rates. Some discounts might not be offered on policies in your area. 
What determines your policy premium?
Many different elements are part of the calculation when premium rates are determined. Most are fairly basic like an MVR report, but some are not quite as obvious like your vehicle usage or your financial responsibility. It’s important that you understand the rating factors that come into play when calculating your premiums. If you have some idea of what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this enables informed choices that could result in cheaper rates.
- A lauto insurance policy lapse is a bad thing – Driving your car without having proper coverage is against the law and you may have a hard time finding new coverage because you let your insurance coverage expire. And not only will your rates increase, getting caught without coverage might get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license. You may have to file a SR-22 with the Kansas DMV.
- Cheaper to insure women? – Over the last 30 years, statistics show that females take fewer risks when driving. Now that doesn’t mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women are in accidents at about the same rate, but guys tend to have more serious accidents. Men also tend to receive more costly citations such as driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving recklessly. Males from age 16 to 21 have the highest risk to insure and therefore are the most expensive to insure.
- Cut auto insurance rates and deter theft – Buying a car with advanced anti-theft systems can help bring down rates. Advanced theft deterrents like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can thwart auto theft.
- Costs increase with policy add-ons – There are a ton of additional coverages that can add up but may not be useful. Coverages for replacement cost coverage, accidental death, and term life insurance are probably not needed. These coverages may sound good when deciding what coverages you need, but if you don’t need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
- No claims equals cheap premiums – Companies in Kansas generally give cheaper rates to policyholders who are not frequent claim filers. If you are the type of insured that files lots of claims you can pretty much guarantee either a policy non-renewal or much higher rates. Auto insurance is intended to be relied upon for claims that pose a financial burden.
- Stressful occupation may mean higher rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations like real estate brokers, business owners and financial analysts tend to have the highest rates because of high stress levels and long work days. On the flip side, jobs such as actors, students and the unemployed pay the least.
- City dwellers may pay more – Being located in less populated areas of the country is a positive aspect when insuring your vehicles. Residents of big cities have to deal with traffic congestion and more severe claims. Fewer drivers means a lower chance of having an accident in addition to lower liability claims
- Annual miles is a factor – The more you drive in a year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies calculate prices based upon how the vehicle is primarily used. Autos that are left in the garage can get a lower rate than those that get driven frequently. Make sure your auto insurance policy reflects the right rating data, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Different people need different auto insurance coverages
When buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
These are some specific questions might point out if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
- Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
- When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
- Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
- Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
- At what point should I drop full coverage?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Kansas?
If you can’t answer these questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
More information is available on the through this link. Visitors are able to view agent and company licensing information, view a list of available companies, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
Don’t give up on affordable coverage
We just presented some good ideas how to get a better price on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the higher your chance of finding . You may even discover the lowest rates come from an unexpected company.
Drivers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as policy cancellation, extreme rates for teen drivers, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even high prices. Whatever your reason, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.
Cheaper auto insurance is possible from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Fort Scott, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not have online quoting and many times these regional insurance providers sell through independent insurance agents.