Drivers fed up with high insurance rates and are new to comparing auto insurance rates on the internet are likely to find sourcing the cheapest car insurance is more work than they anticipated.
It’s a great practice to quote other rates periodically due to the fact that insurance prices fluctuate regularly. Just because you had the lowest rates for Lumina insurance a few years ago a different company probably has better premium rates today. Ignore everything you know about insurance because I’m going to teach you the easiest way to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.
Effectively comparing car insurance prices can be exhausting if you don’t utilize the fastest way to get free quotes. You could waste time talking to insurance agencies in your area, or you could save time and use online quoting for quick rates.
Many of the larger companies take part in a program where prospective buyers submit their information once, and each company can provide price quotes based on the submitted data. This system prevents you from having to do quotation requests to each individual car insurance company. To compare rates using this form now click here (opens in new window).
One minor caviat to comparing rates this way is you are unable to specify which carriers to get quotes from. So if you want to choose from a list of companies to receive pricing from, we have a listing of companies who write car insurance in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just be certain you are entering exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles for each price quote. If you compare different liability limits it will be next to impossible to get a fair rate comparison. Just slight variations in insurance coverages or limits may result in a large different in cost. And when quoting car insurance, remember that comparing more company’s prices will increase your chances of finding the best price. Some companies don’t provide quotes online, so it’s important to compare price estimates from them as well.
When buying the right insurance coverage, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
For instance, these questions can help discover if you might need an agent’s assistance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a bird and a broken windshield. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your 1993 Chevy Lumina.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Medical payments and PIP coverage – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses for chiropractic care, prosthetic devices and surgery. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Collision – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Lumina resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims like crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building, backing into a parked car and colliding with a tree. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Liability coverages – This provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see limits of 100/300/100 which stand for a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability coverage pays for things like pain and suffering, repair costs for stationary objects, structural damage, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and legal defense fees. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy higher limits if possible.