Pricey insurance coverage can bottom out your monthly budget, especially in this economy. Doing a rate analysis is an excellent way to make ends meet.
Numerous auto insurance companies battle to insure your vehicles, so it can be very hard to choose a insurance company to find the absolute best price available.
It’s a great practice to check insurance coverage prices at least once a year because prices go up and down regularly. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest rates for Stratus insurance a couple years back a different company probably has better rate quotes today. Ignore everything you know about insurance coverage because you’re about to find out the quickest way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.
If you have insurance now or are looking for a new policy, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates and possibly find even better coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you is not rocket science. Consumers only need an understanding of the proper way to compare company rates online.
The method we recommend to get rate comparisons is to take advantage of the fact all the major auto insurance companies pay for the opportunity to give you rate quotes. The only thing you need to do is spend a couple of minutes providing details such as how old drivers are, the make and model of your vehicles, distance driven, and if you went to college. That rating information is instantly provided to all major companies and you get price estimates with very little delay.
Some companies don’t necessarily list every possible discount very well, so here is a list both the well known and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using when you buy auto insurance online.
Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So even though you would think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it doesn’t quite work that way.
Large insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts include:
Double check with each insurance company what discounts are available to you. Some discounts may not apply to policies everywhere.
When buying coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions could help you determine if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find typical coverages offered by car insurance companies.
This coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Dodge Stratus.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, 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. Most of the time these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, a broken windshield, hitting a deer, vandalism and theft. The maximum payout a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills like doctor visits, X-ray expenses, pain medications, chiropractic care and prosthetic devices. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
This coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other people or property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability can pay for things like repair costs for stationary objects, court costs, funeral expenses, medical expenses and pain and suffering. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford.
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for claims like colliding with a tree, crashing into a building, crashing into a ditch, hitting a mailbox and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.