Finding cheap insurance may at first seem to be somewhat intimidating for consumers that are relatively new to online price comparisons. With such a large number of insurance companies available, how can drivers be able to compare all the different companies and get the lowest rates?
When comparison shopping, there are several ways to compare quotes from different companies. The recommended way to do a complete rate comparison is to perform an online rate comparison. This is quite simple and can be completed in a couple of different ways.
The easiest and least time consuming way to get quotes is an all-inclusive rate comparison click here to open form in new window. This form prevents you from having to do separate quotes for every company. A single form will return quotes from many national carriers. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
A more time consuming way to shop for insurance online is going to the website for every company you want to comare and repeat the quote process again and again. For sake of this example, we’ll assume you want to compare USAA, Allstate and GEICO. To get rate quotes you would need to navigate to each company’s site and type in your information over and over, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.
The final way to find and compare rates is to waste gas driving to each insurance agency near you. Doing it all online reduces the need to sit down with an agent unless you’re the type of person who wants the professional abilities of a local agent. However, consumers can comparison shop online and still use a local agent.
You can choose any of those ways to find more affodable coverage, but ensure you are comparing the same coverage data for every company. If the quotes have unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s not possible to get a fair rate comparison. Slightly different coverage limits could mean much higher rates. And when price shopping your coverage, quoting more helps locate the best price. Not every company does online price quotes, so it’s important to also get rates on coverage from those companies, too.
Companies don’t list all possible discounts in an easy-to-find place, so below is a list a few of the more well known and also the more inconspicuous insurance coverage savings.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though the math looks like all the discounts add up to a free policy, nobody gets a free ride.
Car insurance companies who might offer some of the above discounts possibly include:
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company which credits you are entitled to. Depending on the company, some discounts might not apply in your area. To view insurance companies who offer discounts, click here.
When buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
For example, these questions might point out if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.
Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Collision coverages – This covers damage to your Mariner Hybrid from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as rolling your car, colliding with another moving vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Comprehensive coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from getting keyed, fire damage and theft. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Mercury Mariner Hybrid.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Medical payments coverage and PIP – Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses like chiropractic care, hospital visits, prosthetic devices and funeral costs. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover you and your occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Liability – This can cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property by causing an accident. It protects YOU from claims by other people. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers things such as medical services, court costs, medical expenses, bail bonds and emergency aid. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford.