How to Find the Cheapest Washington Car Insurance
There may be at least twelve discounts you can ask for when asking for a quote on your auto insurance. Not surprisingly, many of these discounts are directly related to the perceived risk you pose to the insurance company. Here are the most common discounts offered by Washington car insurance companies:
- You live in a preferred Zip code - Certain areas are less prone to crime and accidents.
- Clean Driving Record - If you are accident and citation free for years, you are more attractive to the insurance companies
- Avoid cigarettes - Cigarette smoking is a distraction and can cause accidents.
- Technology such as an anti-theft system, anti lock brakes and air bags reduce your risk of having your car stolen or sustaining serious injury.
- Good Student Discounts - If you are a student who maintains a B or better grade average then you may be eligible.
- Proximity to Work - Most of our driving is in our daily commute. Living closer to work can help save vs commuting long distances.
- Married vs. Single - A married couple is less likely to engage in self destructive behaviors that could result in accidents.
- Driving a "Safe" vehicle - Certain models listed with the insurance company as a safe vehicle because of crash test ratings or theft rates could save you money.
It would appear as though taking the safe road, being prudent while demonstrating a responsible profile seems to pay off in the world of insurance.
Minimum Coverage Requirements in Washington
The state of Washington mandates that you carry: 50k for injuring people, at least 10k for damaging another person's property, and 25k for injuring another person. But do you need rental reimbursement, funeral benefit, roadside assistance, income loss or accidental death, fire, theft, hit an animal, flood, or hailstorm coverage? They are nice but by removing the unnecessary benefits can create a cheap insurance policy without compromising the essentials. Staying with a company that maintains a strong A.M. Best Rating, which assesses the insurance company's financial strength, will help insure that the company will be there when you need them. You always want an A or better rating on your potential insurance company. You can Google A.M. Best Rating for more information.
Brick and Mortar Stores Can Still be Relevant
Shop and compare the brick and mortar stores rates to the internet stores' rates. This will give you the most accurate assessment in finding the very cheapest auto insurance without sacrificing quality. By going to a location, you will be able to sit with an agent and go over all the details of your insurance needs. It's important that the agent or online representative tells you everything they have included in the quote. Make sure they included any and all discounts you and your family qualify for and there isn't coverage that is overlapping in the medical collision, or uninsured motorist parts of the policy.
Additional Ways to Save
Another piece to finding cheap auto insurance is to own your car outright and let it be a sensible car. Then you can choose not to include collision/comprehensive in your policy. This is designed for an expensive or newer automobile that is being financed. It covers the cost of repairs to the vehicle. You can also investigate raising your deductibles as this lowers your premiums.
In addition, there are companies that offer special discounts to special groups like the military, federal employees, a Costco membership, so if you are a member of a special group ask each company you are requesting a quote from if they have special discounts for any particular groups. It never hurts to ask.
Washington car insurance in today's market is filled with so many competing companies and products, it benefits you to shop and come home with the insurance policy that provides you the protection you need without spending money on the coverage you don't.