Wish you could get out of an expensive car insurance policy? You’re preaching to the choir because you are not the only one feeling buyer’s remorse.
Insurance companies such as Allstate, Progressive and GEICO persitently shower you with fancy advertisements and consumers find it hard to ignore the propoganda and take the time to shop coverage around.
Effectively comparing insurance prices can be a daunting task if you don’t utilize the fastest way to get free quotes. You could waste a few hours talking about coverages with insurance agencies in your area, or you can utilize the web to maximize your effort.
Many of the larger companies belong to an insurance system where prospective buyers only type in their quote data once, and at least one company then gives them pricing based on the submitted data. This eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions to every company. To find out what other companies charge click here (opens in new window).
The single downside to using this type of form is you cannot specify which providers to get quotes from. So if you want to choose individual companies to compare, we put together a list of the cheapest insurance companies in your area. View list of insurance companies.
Whichever way you use, be sure to compare identical deductibles and coverage limits with each company. If each company quotes different limits and deductibles on each one it will be nearly impossible to determine which company has the best rates. Just slight variations in coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. And when comparison shopping, obtaining a wide range of quotes will improve the odds of getting more affordable insurance.
When buying adequate coverage, there is no best way to insure your cars. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if you might need professional guidance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Understanding the coverages of auto insurance can be of help when determining the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
This coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to people or other property. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see policy 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 property damage coverage for $50,000.
Liability coverage protects against things like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical services and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Pontiac Torrent.
Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things like hail damage, vandalism, theft, fire damage and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum amount your auto insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision insurance covers damage to your Torrent resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things like damaging your car on a curb, hitting a parking meter and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for short-term medical expenses such as X-ray expenses, ambulance fees, surgery and chiropractic care. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay