We don’t have to point out that fact that car insurance companies don’t want you to look at other companies. Insureds who compare rates once a year are likely to switch car insurance companies because there is a great chance of getting low-cost coverage. A recent car insurance study revealed that drivers who made a habit of comparing rates saved an average of $3,400 over four years compared to people who never shopped around for better prices.
If finding budget-friendly rates on Chevy Spark EV insurance is the reason you’re reading this, then learning a little about the best way to quote and compare insurance premiums can save time, money, and frustration.
The best way we recommend to find more affordable car insurance rates in Virginia Beach is to start comparing prices regularly from companies who can sell car insurance in Virginia.
First, get an understanding of how companies price auto insurance and the modifications you can make to drop your rates. Many risk factors that cause rate increases like at-fault accidents and a less-than-favorable credit history can be amended by making minor driving habit or lifestyle changes.
Second, compare prices from direct, independent, and exclusive agents. Exclusive agents and direct companies can only give prices from one company like GEICO and State Farm, while agents who are independent can quote rates from multiple companies.
Third, compare the new rates to your existing coverage to see if a cheaper price is available. If you find a lower rate quote, make sure coverage is continuous and does not lapse.
Fourth, notify your current company of your intent to cancel your current policy. Submit payment and a signed application for the new coverage. Once the paperwork is finalized, put the certificate verifying coverage somewhere easily accessible.
The critical component of shopping around is to try to compare identical limits and deductibles on each quote request and and to get quotes from as many carriers as you can. This guarantees a fair price comparison and a better comparison of the market.
The providers in the list below offer quotes in Virginia Beach, VA. If you want to find the cheapest auto insurance in VA, we recommend you visit several of them to get the most affordable price.
Chevy Spark EV insurance discounts in Virginia Beach
Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but you might be missing out on some discounts that could help you make your next renewal payment. Some trigger automatically at the time you complete a quote, but occasionally some discounts must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.
- Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Multi-line Discount – Some insurance carriers give lower prices if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
- Paper-free Discount – Some insurance companies will provide an incentive for buying a policy and signing up on their website.
- Own a Home – Simply owning a home may trigger a policy discount on car insurance due to the fact that maintaining a home means you have a higher level of financial diligence.
- Telematics Devices – Drivers that enable their insurance company to analyze driving manner by using a telematics device in their vehicle like Drivewise from Allstate or In-Drive from State Farm might get better premium rates as long as the data is positive.
- Driver’s Education for Students – It’s a good idea to have your young drivers enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
One last thing about discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. Even though the math looks like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, that’s just not realistic.
Some companies that have these benefits include:
Before buying, ask every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Some of the earlier mentioned discounts may not be offered in Virginia Beach. If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above in Virginia, click here.
Virginia Beach Insurance Costs are Influenced by These Factors
The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at some of the elements that go into determining the level of your policy premiums. If you understand what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that could help you find lower premium levels.
Increase physical damage deductibles and save – Physical damage insurance, termed comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy, is used to repair damage to your vehicle. Examples of some claims that would be covered are a broken side mirror, collision with an animal, or theft. The deductibles tell how much the insured will be required to pay if the claim is covered. The higher the amount you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
Lower rates come with age – Older people are proven to be safer behind the wheel, statistically cause fewer accidents, and are safer drivers. Teen drivers are statistically shown to be inattentive in a vehicle and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
Never let your auto insurance expire – Driving your car without having proper coverage is not a good idea and any future policy may cost more because you let your insurance coverage expire. And not only will your rates increase, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a license revocation or jail time. You may need to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Virginia motor vehicle department.
The higher your credit history the lower your rates – Your credit history is a big factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Insureds with good credit tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than those with lower credit ratings. So if your credit is lower than you’d like, you could pay less to insure your Chevrolet Spark EV if you clean up your credit.
Reduce rates by driving cars with good safety ratings – Safer cars cost less to insure. The safest vehicles reduce the chance of injuries and any reduction in injury severity translates directly to fewer claims passed on to you as lower rates. If the Chevy Spark EV scored at minimum four stars on Safercar.gov or an “acceptable” rating on iihs.org you may pay a lower rate.
Discounts for married drivers – Being married can actually save you money on your policy. Having a spouse usually means you are more mature and responsible and it’s proven that married couples file fewer claims.
Your career may increase rates – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupational choices like doctors, business owners, and emergency personnel generally pay higher rates than average because of high stress levels and incredibly demanding work hours. Other occupations such as scientists, engineers and performers pay the least.
Remove unneeded extra coverages – There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that can add up when buying auto insurance. Insurance for things like personal injury protection, towing coverage, and motor club memberships may be costing you every month. The coverages may be enticing when discussing your needs, but your needs may have changed so remove them from your policy.
When to have guidance from a local insurance agent
Some people just want to talk to a local agent and that is OK! Professional agents can help you build your policy and help you file claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is that drivers can save money and get lower rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying insurance from local insurance agents is definitely important in Virginia Beach.
Once you complete this quick form, your information is sent to local insurance agents in Virginia Beach that can provide free Virginia Beach auto insurance quotes for your coverage. It’s much easier because you don’t need to do any legwork since price quotes are sent directly to you. In the event you want to quote rates from a specific auto insurance provider, you just need to go to their quote page and fill out their quote form.
Finding a good insurance company shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. You should also get answers to these questions.
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- Do they have cheaper tiers of coverage?
- How is replacement cost determined on your vehicle?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- How often do they review policy coverages?
Keep this in mind when shopping around
Cheaper Chevy Spark EV insurance in Virginia Beach can be purchased on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies don’t offer internet price quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies prefer to sell through independent agents.
When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There have been many cases where drivers have reduced full coverage and learned later that it was a big error on their part. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best possible price, not the least amount of coverage.
More tips and info about insurance can be found in the articles below:
- Information for Teen Drivers (GEICO)
- Who Has Cheap Car Insurance Quotes for State Employees in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- What Car Insurance is Cheapest for Handicapped Drivers in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- Who Has Affordable Auto Insurance for Teenage Males in Virginia Beach? (FAQ)
- Distracted Driving Extends Beyond Texting (State Farm)
- Crash Avoidance Technologies FAQ (iihs.org)
- Things to Know Before you Cancel Insurance (Allstate)