Southern California Rate Patrol
Trolling the Options to Get the Best Rate on Your Southern California Auto Insurance
It's no secret, so we may as well say it right off the bat-Southern California has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. Oh sure, Southern California auto insurance companies will hedge and dance around the issue and tell you what a good deal you're getting compared to your neighbors (which is probably true!) but they never really 'fess up to the fact that "you could save hundreds of dollars on your car insurance by switching to"… Arizona.
Ah, affordable Southern California auto insurance. The Impossible Dream. The Holy Grail. The Neverending Story…or is it?
Good news, ladies and gentlemen. Thanks to the power of the Internet and a dwindling economy that is inspiring people to put less miles on their car than ever before, affordable auto insurance is now available to the people of Southern California.
How is this possible? What changed?
∞ As the economy plunged and gas prices climbed this past summer, more drivers than ever were minimizing the amount of time they spent on the road-and demanding the discounts on their auto insurance that went with it.
∞ Companies like Esurance sprung up that had the national exposure they needed to offer low rates without going under.
∞ More big name, big profit companies became national, increasing the competition.
∞ The amount of competition increased, with companies consistently trying to outbid each other in meeting the financial needs of their clients,
And voila! A new era in Southern California auto insurance emerged!
There are definitive steps you have to take before you can kick the old ways to the curb and thrive as a part of the new regime, but relax-it's the easiest thing you're ever going to have to do. First, make sure your driving record is squeaky clean. A good driving record will work in your favor when you call a company up and explain why they're overcharging you. (Calmly and rationally, of course…)
Second, take the time to explore your options when it comes to Southern California auto insurance-all of them. Not only can you use this knowledge to find the auto insurance provider that's right for you, it will also give you leverage when you're arguing with your current carrier for a lower rate. No one wants to lose a customer to a competitor because of a lower price. (What would the neighbors say? It would become a feeding frenzy!)
Because no one wants the word to get out that they're overcharging for their auto insurance, they're often willing to meet their competitor's quote-or at least come close, which if you have a Southern California auto insurance company you're comfortable with might be good enough. This allows them to keep you as a customer (think about it-they can afford the loss) and lets you get high quality auto insurance at a great price.
Finally, explore your discount options-all of them. Many companies offer discounts for seniors, students, military that they don't advertise but can save you hundreds a year. Ask for them. Demand them if you have to. They're the ones ripping you off by hiding them from you, so don't feel like the bad guy.
Think of it this way. What would you do with five or six hundred dollars? Would you buy that new flat screen t.v.? Take a vacation? Put a down payment on a car? Or would you throw it away on an expensive insurance policy you don't really need?
We're voting for Fiji.