Did you make the mistake of buying an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me when I say many consumers feel financially strained by their auto insurance policy.
Due to the large number of online and local companies to choose from, it can be impossible to pick the most affordable company.
The quickest method we recommend to compare car insurance rates is to take advantage of the fact most of the larger companies have advanced systems to provide you with a free rate quote. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is take a few minutes to give details like if it has an alarm system, if you require a SR-22, your credit rating estimate, and the type of vehicles you drive. That rating information is submitted instantly to multiple companies and you will get price comparisons very quickly.
Some providers don’t always advertise all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below gives a summary of some of the more common and the more hidden credits available to bring down your rates.
You should keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Even though it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any amount of discount will definitely reduce the amount you have to pay.
A few of the larger companies and a selection of discounts are shown below.
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company or agent which discounts can lower your rates. Some of the discounts discussed earlier may not apply to policyholders everywhere. To see insurers with discount rates, click this link.
When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions may help you determine if you may require specific advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.
Having a good grasp of your policy helps when choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are typical coverages available from insurance companies.
Collision coverage – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things such as sideswiping another vehicle, driving through your garage door, scraping a guard rail, crashing into a building and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Auto liability – Liability insurance protects you from damage that occurs to other’s property or people. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have values of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability can pay for claims like funeral expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering and legal defense fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like damage from flooding, hail damage and theft. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Coverage for medical expenses – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for ambulance fees, nursing services, pain medications, hospital visits and doctor visits. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Pontiac Grand Am.
Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.