Are you irritated from sacrificing each month for insurance coverage? You’re in the same situation as millions of other people.
With so many online and local companies to choose from, it can be diffult for drivers to locate the cheapest insurer.
The method we recommend to compare car insurance rates is to realize most insurance companies participate in a system to provide you with free rate quotes. The only thing you need to do is provide information like daily mileage, how much coverage you want, how old drivers are, and your occupation. That rating information is then sent to many highly-rated insurers and they respond with quotes instantly to find the best rate.
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you might be missing out on some discounts that you may not know about. Certain credits will be shown at the time you complete a quote, but less common discounts must be manually applied prior to receiving the credit.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire policy premium. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, car insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any amount of discount will lower your policy cost.
Large car insurance companies and some of their more popular discounts include:
When comparing rates, check with every prospective company which credits you are entitled to. Depending on the company, some discounts might not apply in your state. If you would like to view insurers with the best discounts, click this link.
Part of the insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that help determine the price you pay for insurance. If you have some idea of what controls the rates you pay, this enables you to make decisions that can help you get cheaper rates. Many different elements are part of the equation when pricing auto insurance. Some of the criteria are obvious like your driving record, but others are more obscure such as your marital status and annual miles driven.
The list below includes just a few of the factors insurance companies consider when setting prices.
When it comes to choosing the best insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions could help you determine if you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Big name companies like Allstate and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all state the claim about how much you will save just by moving to their company. How does each company offer you a better deal? It’s all in the numbers.
All companies have an ideal profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, has never had a policy lapse, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Anybody that hits that “sweet spot” is entitled to the best price and will save a lot if they switch.
Potential customers who do not match those standards will be quoted a higher rate and this results in the customer buying from someone else. If you listen to the ad wording, they say “people who switch” not “all people who quote” save money. That is how insurance companies can claim big savings. Each company has different criteria, so you really need to compare price quotes frequently. It is impossible to predict with any certainty which company will be your best fit.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find the usual coverages available from insurance companies.
Liability auto insurance
This provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see liability limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers claims like attorney fees, structural damage, bail bonds and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but consider buying higher limits if possible.
Comprehensive auto coverage
This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as hitting a deer, damage from getting keyed, hitting a bird and a broken windshield. The highest amount your insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
This protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.
Collision coverage protection
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Mustang resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things such as damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car, hitting a mailbox and colliding with another moving vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for immediate expenses such as funeral costs, ambulance fees, surgery and doctor visits. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to you and your occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Lower-priced car insurance is attainable on the web and from local agencies, so get free auto insurance quotes from both of them in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies do not provide price quotes online and many times these smaller companies work with local independent agents.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many cases where an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your focus should be to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.
More tips and info about car insurance is available by following these links: