Wish you could get a refund on an underperforming, overpriced insurance policy? It’s a common feeling and there are many Seattle consumers feeling the pinch from expensive insurance.
A recent insurance study revealed that most insurance policyholders renewed their policy with the same company for more than four years, and nearly the majority have never compared rates with other companies. Seattle drivers could save approximately 40% every year just by getting comparison quotes, but most undervalue how much savings they would realize if they swap their current policy for a cheaper one.
Vehicle owners have so many insurers to choose from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to compare rates and cut insurance costs.
It’s a good idea to get comparison quotes once or twice a year because prices change frequently. Just because you had the best deal on Oldsmobile Alero insurance in Seattle at your last renewal you can probably find a lower rate today. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the only way to find great coverage at a great price.
Finding the cheapest coverage in Seattle is easy if you know what you’re doing. Essentially every person who is required by state law to have auto insurance will buy a cheaper policy. But Washington vehicle owners do need to understand the way companies compete online because it varies considerably.
Affordable rates on Oldsmobile Alero insurance in Seattle with these insurance discounts
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there are discounts available that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically at the time you complete a quote, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for before you get the savings.
- E-sign – A few larger companies may give you up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up on the internet.
- Bundle and Save – If you combine your home and auto policies and insure them with the same company you could earn a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
- Accident Forgiveness Coverage – This one is not really a discount per se, but companies like Liberty Mutual, Allstate and State Farm may permit one accident before your rates go up with the catch being you have to be claim-free for a specific time period.
- Seat Belts Save – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save a little on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents can save up to 40% or more on their Seattle auto insurance quote than drivers with accident claims.
- Buy New and Save – Buying a new car instead of a used Alero can cost up to 25% less since new vehicles have better safety ratings.
- Homeowners Savings – Simply owning a home may earn you a small savings due to the fact that maintaining a home demonstrates responsibility.
- Life Insurance Discount – If the company offers life insurance, you could get lower prices if you buy some life insurance in addition to your auto policy.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Maintaining low annual mileage could qualify for substantially lower premium rates.
It’s important to note that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Despite the fact that it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
To choose insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above in Washington, click here.
Most of the larger companies allow consumers to get pricing from their websites. Getting online rates for Oldsmobile Alero insurance in Seattle doesn’t take a lot of time as you simply enter your coverage preferences as requested by the quote form. After the form is submitted, their rating system automatically orders your driving record and credit report and provides a quote based on many factors. The ability to get online quotes for Oldsmobile Alero insurance in Seattle simplifies rate comparisons, and it is imperative to have as many quotes as possible if you want to get the best rate possible.
If you want to compare pricing, take a look at the companies shown below. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you input your coverages as close as possible to your current policy. Doing this guarantees you will have a rate comparison using the same coverage and limits.
The auto insurance companies shown below offer free quotes in Seattle, WA. If several companies are displayed, it’s a good idea that you visit as many as you can to get the lowest price.
Cut Insurance Costs with These Tips
Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. When consumers understand what impacts premium levels, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get cheaper rates. Many factors are part of the calculation when you get a price on insurance. Some are pretty understandable such as your driving history, but others are less obvious such as whether you are married or how financially stable you are.
The factors shown below are some of the most rate-impacting factors auto insurance companies consider when setting rates.
Put fewer miles on your vehicle – The higher the miles on your Oldsmobile in a year the more you’ll pay to insure it. A lot of companies rate vehicles partially by how you use the vehicle. Cars and trucks that have low annual miles get more affordable rates than vehicles that have high annual mileage. Verify your auto insurance coverage is rated on the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money. Having the wrong rating on your Alero may be wasting your money.
Always have auto insurance – Having a lapse in insurance coverage will be a guaranteed way to increase your rates. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance could result in a fine, jail time, or a revoked license.
Lower premiums for cars with good safety ratings – Safe vehicles cost less to insure. Safer cars help reduce the chance of injuries in an accident and fewer injuries means less claims paid and thus lower rates. If your Oldsmobile Alero has at least an “acceptable” rating on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website it may be receiving lower rates.
Do you need those extra coverages? – Policies have optional add-on coverages that can add up if you don’t pay attention. Coverage for things like roadside assistance, towing coverage, and motor club memberships are examples of these. The coverages may be enticing initially, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
Buying insurance from Seattle insurance agencies
Some consumers just prefer to sit down with an agent and that is OK! One of the benefits of getting free rate quotes online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to companies in Seattle who can give free rate quotes for your insurance coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to do any legwork due to the fact that quote results will go to you directly. You can find better rates AND an agent nearby. If you wish to compare rates from one company in particular, just visit that company’s website and give them your coverage information.
Finding a good provider requires you to look at more than just the price. Here are some questions you might want to ask.
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- Is there a local claims center in Seattle?
- Does the agency have a positive business rating?
- Which companies do they recommend if they are an independent agency?
- Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Seattle?
- Will a damage claim use OEM or aftermarket replacement parts?
When narrowing the list to find a reputable insurance agent or broker, it’s important to understand the different types of agencies and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agents are considered either exclusive or independent.
Exclusive Insurance Agencies
Agents in the exclusive channel can only provide one company’s prices such as Allstate and State Farm. Exclusive agents cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they really need to provide good service. Exclusive agents receive extensive training in insurance sales which aids in selling service over price.
Listed below is a short list of exclusive agencies in Seattle who can help you get comparison quotes.
Brian Chambers – State Farm Insurance Agent
3206 16th Ave W – Seattle, WA 98119 – (206) 285-3003 – View Map
Greg Nunn – State Farm Insurance Agent
200 Roy St #102 – Seattle, WA 98109 – (206) 284-9700 – View Map
George Fu – State Farm Insurance Agent
9026 Roosevelt Way NE – Seattle, WA 98115 – (206) 524-0330 – View Map
Independent Insurance Agencies
Agents in the independent channel are not restricted to one company so they can insure your vehicles with lots of companies and find you the best rates. If your premiums go up, they simply switch companies in-house which makes it simple for you. If you are comparing rate quotes, you need to get some free quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison.
Shown below are independent insurance agents in Seattle that are able to give rate quotes.
Roy Potter Insurance
412 Queen Anne Ave N – Seattle, WA 98109 – (206) 284-0470 – View Map
Sav-On Insurance
9614 17th Ave SW – Seattle, WA 98106 – (206) 767-7444 – View Map
Johnson Insurance Agency
9200 Holman Rd NW – Seattle, WA 98117 – (206) 789-5940 – View Map
Three main reasons to buy car insurance
Despite the high cost, buying car insurance is required in Washington but also provides important benefits.
First, most states have minimum mandated liability insurance limits which means you are required to buy a specific level of liability protection in order to drive the car. In Washington these limits are 25/50/10 which means you must have $25,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $10,000 of property damage coverage.
Second, if your Alero has a lien holder, more than likely the lender will force you to have full coverage to ensure loan repayment if the vehicle is totalled. If the policy lapses, the bank will be required to insure your Oldsmobile at a significantly higher premium and make you pay the higher premium.
Third, car insurance protects both your car and your assets. It will also reimburse you for medical expenses for yourself as well as anyone injured by you. Liability insurance, one of your policy coverages, will also pay for a defense attorney if you cause an accident and are sued. If mother nature or an accident damages your car, comprehensive (other-than-collision) and collision coverage will cover the damage repairs after a deductible is paid.
The benefits of insuring your car more than cancel out the cost, especially when you need to use it. But the average driver in Washington overpays as much as $850 per year so you should quote rates every year to ensure rates are competitive.
Frequent quotes can save
There are still a few companies who may not offer internet price quotes and many times these small, regional companies sell through independent agents. Budget-conscious Oldsmobile Alero insurance is attainable from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Seattle agents, so you should compare both so you have a total pricing picture.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best cost, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
You just read many ways to save on Oldsmobile Alero insurance in Seattle. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers could even find that the lowest rates are with a smaller regional carrier. These companies can often provide lower car insurance rates in certain areas compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.
For more information, link through to these articles:
- Credit and Insurance Scores (Insurance Information Institute)
- Who Has Affordable Car Insurance Quotes with Multiple Speeding Tickets in Seattle? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance Rates for Business Use in Seattle? (FAQ)
- Pickups fall short in headlight tests (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
- Top Signs Your Brakes are Giving Out (State Farm)
- How to Avoid Staged Accidents (State Farm)
- Electronic Stability Control FAQ (iihs.org)