I can’t think of anyone who likes paying for insurance, particularly when the cost is too high.
Due to the large number of insurance companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to choose the most affordable company.
Some insurers don’t list every available discount in an easy-to-find place, so the list below contains a few of the more common as well as some of the hidden insurance coverage savings.
Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because you may think you could get a free insurance coverage policy, nobody gets a free ride.
A partial list of companies that may offer these money-saving discounts include:
If you are trying to find cheap insurance quotes, ask every prospective company what discounts are available to you. Depending on the company, some discounts may not be offered in your area. To see companies offering insurance coverage discounts, follow this link.
When buying the best insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s needs are different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions can help discover whether you would benefit from professional advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Companies like State Farm, Geico and Progressive seem to constantly run television and radio advertisements. All the companies have a common claim about savings just by moving your policy. It sounds good, but how can they all charge you less for car insurance? This is the trick they use.
Most companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of insured that will most likely be profitable. An example of a desirable risk could be over the age of 35, has never had a policy lapse, and drives a lower-performance vehicle. Anybody who matches those parameters will get very good premium rates and will most likely save some money.
Potential customers who fall outside this ideal profile will probably be forced to pay a higher rate and this can result in the prospect going elsewhere. The ads say “people who switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save money. That’s the way companies can make it sound like they have such great prices.
Because of this risk profiling, you should do a rate comparison at every renewal. It is impossible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.
Learning about specific coverages of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. These are the usual coverages offered by car insurance companies.
Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for immediate expenses like doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses and ambulance fees. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – This provides protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is important protection for you and your family. Normally these limits are set the same as your liablity limits.
Collision coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims such as hitting a parking meter, crashing into a building, damaging your car on a curb and colliding with a tree. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as rock chips in glass, damage from flooding and hitting a bird. The maximum amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Liability – Liability coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. It protects YOU from claims by other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
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 limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage protects against things such as attorney fees, court costs, structural damage, medical expenses and funeral expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy higher limits if possible.
We’ve covered many ways to lower your 2004 Ford Excursion insurance car insurance rates. The key thing to remember is the more you quote insurance, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the lowest car insurance rates are with some of the lesser-known companies. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than their larger competitors like Allstate, Geico and Progressive.
While you’re price shopping online, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price, but do not skimp to save money.
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