Save Money on Car Insurance in Elgin

Are you sick and tired of wondering where the money will come from to buy auto insurance? You have the same problem as many other Illinois drivers.

Amazlingly, a recent NerdWallet.com study showed that nearly 70% of drivers kept buying from the same company for over three years, and virtually 40% of consumers have never compared rate quotes at all. With the average premium in Illinois being $1,500, drivers can save nearly 40% each year, but they don't invest the time required to compare rates and save money.

Companies like GEICO and Progressive increase brand awareness with catchy ads and it is difficult to ignore the flying pigs and cute green geckos and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.

Auto insurance companies in Elgin

The providers in the list below have been selected to offer comparison quotes in Elgin, IL. If more than one company is shown, we suggest you visit as many as you can to get a more complete price comparison.

Prices based on married female driver age 40, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, $1000 deductibles, and Illinois minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include multi-policy, homeowner, claim-free, multi-vehicle, and safe-driver. Premium costs do not factor in Elgin location which can lower or raise price quotes substantially.

How high should deductibles be?

The hardest decision when buying coverage is which comprehensive and collision deductibles to buy. The tables below highlight the cost difference of buying low and high physical damage deductibles. The first rate estimation uses a $250 physical damage deductible and the second price table uses a $500 deductible.

Toyota Camry rates are for example purposes only. To get rates for your specific vehicle, click here.

Data based on married male driver age 30, no speeding tickets, no at-fault accidents, and Illinois minimum liability limits. Discounts applied include homeowner, claim-free, multi-vehicle, multi-policy, and safe-driver. Prices do not factor in specific location information which can raise or lower coverage rates considerably.

Based on the data above, we can derive that using a $250 deductible would cost the average driver about $11 more each month or $132 a year than choosing the higher $500 deductible. Since the policyholder would be required to pay $250 more out-of-pocket with a $500 deductible as compared to a $250 deductible, if you normally go at least 23 months between claims, you would save more money if you choose a higher deductible.

Responsible drivers pay cheaper auto insurance rates

The chart below shows how traffic citations and accident claims can affect Honda Accord insurance prices for different age groups. The rates are based on a married male driver, comp and collision included, $1,000 deductibles, and no additional discounts are factored in.

Honda Accord rates are for example purposes only. To get rates for your specific vehicle, click here.

Raise deductibles and save

The information below demonstrates how choosing different deductibles and can influence Dodge Ram insurance premiums for different age groups of insureds. The premiums assume a single female driver, comprehensive and collision coverage, and no discounts are applied.

Dodge Ram rates are for example purposes only. To get rates for your specific vehicle, click here.

Get cheaper rates on auto insurance with these discounts

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but companies offer discounts that can dramatically reduce your bill. Some trigger automatically when you purchase, but occasionally some discounts must be inquired about in order for you to get them.

• New Vehicle Savings - Putting insurance on a new car can save up to 30% since newer vehicles have better safety ratings.
• Save with More Vehicles Insured - Drivers who insure several vehicles on a single policy qualifies for this discount.
• Switch and Save Discount - Some larger companies provide a discount for buying a new policy before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
• Good Driver Discounts - Insureds who avoid accidents can pay as much as 50% less as compared to drivers with claims.
• Anti-lock Brake System - Cars and trucks that have anti-lock braking systems are much safer to drive so you can save 10 percent or more.

Discounts lower rates, but many deductions do not apply to the whole policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, auto insurance companies aren't that generous.

Some of the larger companies that may offer most of the discounts above are:

• GEICO
• Auto-Owners Insurance
• American Family
• Esurance
• Progressive
• State Farm
• AAA

Before purchasing a policy, check with each insurance company how many discounts you can get. Some credits may not apply in Elgin.

Neighborhood insurance agents

Certain consumers just prefer to get professional advice from a licensed agent and doing so can bring peace of mind A good thing about comparing auto insurance online is the fact that drivers can get lower rates but also keep your business local. Buying from local agents is important particularly in Elgin.

By using this simple form, your information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Elgin who will gladly provide quotes and help you find cheaper coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to find an agent on your own because prices are sent to you instantly. You can most likely find cheaper rates without having to waste a lot of time. If you want to get a rate quote from a particular provider, you would need to find their quoting web page and complete a quote there.

Best auto insurance agent in Elgin

When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, it can be helpful to understand the types of insurance agents and how they function. Auto insurance agents can be categorized as either exclusive or independent agents depending on their company appointments.

Independent Auto Insurance Agencies

Independent agents are normally appointed by many insurers and that gives them the ability to insure through many companies depending on which coverage is best. If they find a lower price, the business is moved internally and you can keep the same agent. When comparing auto insurance prices, it's a good idea to get insurance quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to maximize your price options.

Featured below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Elgin that may be able to give you price quote information.

More Elgin agents

Exclusive Insurance Agents

Agents of this type have only one company to place business with like Farmers Insurance, Allstate, or State Farm. These agents are unable to provide rate quotes from other companies so keep that in mind. They are highly trained in insurance sales which helps them sell on service rather than price.

Listed below is a list of exclusive insurance agents in Elgin who can help you get price quotes.

More Elgin agents

Choosing an car insurance agent should include more criteria than just a low price. Here are some questions you should ask.

• Do they prorate repair cost based on vehicle mileage?
• Where are claims handled?
• Do they specialize in personal lines auto insurance in Elgin?
• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
• What insurance companies do they work with in Elgin?

Auto insurance in the media

Well-known auto insurance companies like Progressive, Allstate and GEICO constantly bombard you with television, radio, and online ads. They all say the same thing that you can save if you switch your coverage. How does every auto insurance company offer drivers better rates? It's all in the numbers.

All companies offer their best rates for the type of driver that will not have excessive claims. A good example of this type of risk profile might have to be between the ages of 30 and 50, has a clear driving record, and has a short commute. Any new insured that fits those parameters will get very good Elgin rates and have a good chance to save if they switch.

Potential insureds who don't measure up to the requirements will probably be forced to pay a higher premium which leads to the customer buying from someone else. The trick companies use is to say "customers who switch" not "everyone who quotes" will save that much if they switch. That is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do.

Because of these techniques, you really need to get a wide range of price quotes. It's impossible to know with any certainty which company will have the best prices for your profile.

Don't give up on cheaper rates

As you quote Elgin car insurance, it's not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where an insured dropped liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, but don't skip important coverages to save money.

We covered many tips how you can shop for auto insurance online. It's most important to understand that the more times you quote, the better your chances of lowering your car insurance rates. You may even find the lowest rates are with some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give better rates compared to the large companies like Allstate and Progressive.

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