Are you baffled by the sheer number of insurance coverage sources in your area? Many other drivers are too. You have so many sources to choose from that it can turn into a difficult mission to find a cheaper company.
Some companies don’t always list every discount very clearly, so we break down a few of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on auto insurance. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.
Discounts lower rates, but most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Larger auto insurance companies and their possible discounts can be found below.
It’s a good idea to ask each insurance company how you can save money. A few discounts may not be available in every state. If you would like to choose from a list of insurers that have a full spectrum of discounts, click this link.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.
For example, these questions can help discover whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Big name companies like State Farm, Geico and Progressive consistently run ads on television and other media. All the companies make an identical promise about how much you will save if you just switch your coverage to them. How is it plausible that every one can charge less that you’re paying now? Just pay attention to how they say it.
Insurance providers quote their best rates for a prospective insured that earns them the highest profit. An example of a preferred risk may need to be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and drives a lower-performance vehicle. Any person that meets those criteria will probably get cheap rates and will save a lot of money.
Consumers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile will be charged higher premium rates and this can result in the customer not purchasing. If you listen closely, the ads state “customers who switch” not “all people who quote” will save that much if they switch. This is how companies can truthfully make the claims of big savings. Because every company is different, you absolutely need to do a quote comparison often. It’s not possible to predict which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.
Learning about specific coverages of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement.
This coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability coverage protects against things like legal defense fees, repair costs for stationary objects, structural damage and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford.
This protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like hitting a bird, vandalism, a broken windshield and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for things like chiropractic care, X-ray expenses, doctor visits and funeral costs. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Collision insurance covers damage to your E-150 resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things like colliding with a tree, scraping a guard rail and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Discount 1997 Ford E-150 insurance can be purchased both online as well as from insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance companies do not offer rates over the internet and these smaller companies only sell coverage through local independent agencies.
Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, high rates after DUI convictions, unfair underwriting practices and policy non-renewal. Whatever your reason, finding a new company is not as hard as you think.
When trying to cut insurance costs, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. Too many times, drivers have reduced liability coverage limits only to regret that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. The ultimate goal is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate while not skimping on critical coverages.