Are you sick and tired of scraping the payment together to pay your car insurance bill each month? You’re in the same situation as many other consumers. Drivers have so many insurance companies to choose from, and although it’s nice to have a selection, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare company pricing.
Finding the best rates is not that difficult. If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to save some money using these methods. Drivers just need to learn the most efficient way to compare prices online.
Auto insurance is easily one of your largest bills, but you might find some hidden discounts that could drop your premiums quite a bit. Some discounts will apply when you quote, but occassionally some discounts must be asked about before being credited.
Policy discounts save money, but most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky.
The best auto insurance companies and their possible discounts include:
If you are trying to find the cheapest car insurance quotes, ask each company how you can save money. Some discounts may not be available in your state.
Multiple criteria are used when pricing auto insurance. Most are fairly basic like a motor vehicle report, although others are less obvious such as whether you are married or your vehicle rating.
The items below are most of the major factors utilized by car insurance companies to help set your prices.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there is no best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions can aid in determining if your situation would benefit from professional advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of insurance coverage companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and may give you better protection.
Consumers can’t get away from all the ads that claim the best prices by companies like Allstate, Geico and Progressive. They all seem to make an identical promise of big savings just by switching your coverage.
How is it possible that every company can sell you cheaper insurance coverage? This is the way they can do it.
All companies quote the lowest rates for the type of driver that will most likely be profitable. An example of a profitable risk profile might have to be married and over the age of 30, has never had a claim, and has great credit. A propective insured that matches those criteria is entitled to the best price and will also save some money.
People who cannot meet these stringent criteria will probably be forced to pay more expensive rates which usually ends up with the prospect going elsewhere. If you listen to the ad wording, they say “customers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s the way companies can advertise the savings. That is why you should get a wide range of price quotes. Because you cannot predict with any certainty which company will provide the lowest auto insurance rates.
Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverage types offered by car insurance companies.
Medical payments and PIP coverage – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like chiropractic care, ambulance fees and X-ray expenses. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like falling objects, a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and fire damage. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverages – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Ranger resulting from a collision with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things such as colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole and rolling your car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Auto liability insurance – Liability insurance protects you from damage that occurs to people or other property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 that translate to $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage protects against things such as attorney fees, medical services and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 1996 Ford Ranger.
Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Budget-conscious 1996 Ford Ranger insurance can be found on the web as well as from insurance agents, so get free car insurance quotes from both of them to have the best rate selection. Some insurance companies do not provide rate quotes online and usually these small, regional companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agencies.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s very important that you do not reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that it was a big mistake. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at the best cost.
More information is located at these links: