Have you had enough of being strong-armed to keep your car insured? Your situation is no different than many other drivers. Many insurers compete for your business, so it can be very hard to choose a insurer to discover the definitive best rates possible.
Insurance coverage can be pricey, but there could be significant discounts that you may not even know about. Some discounts will apply at quote time, but a few must be specifically requested before you get the savings.
As a footnote on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it doesn’t quite work that way.
A few of the larger companies and the discounts they provide are detailed below.
When comparing rates, check with every prospective company which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts might not be available to policyholders in your area. If you would like to view insurance companies that have a full spectrum of discounts, click here to view.
When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s needs are different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining whether you might need professional guidance.
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. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, free and can provide invaluable advice.
Consumers can’t ignore all the ads that claim the lowest premium rates from companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the ads state the claim that drivers can save some big amount after switching your policy.
How is it possible that every company can charge lower premium rates? You have to listen carefully.
Insurance providers have strict underwriting profiles for the type of customer that will not have excessive claims. One example of a preferred risk might have to be over the age of 35, insures multiple vehicles, and has a short commute. Any person who matches that profile is entitled to the best price as well as pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Drivers who do not meet these stringent criteria may be required to pay higher premiums and this can result in the customer buying from a different company. If you listen closely, the ads state “people that switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.
This really illustrates why you need to do a price quote comparison at every renewal. Because without a comparison, you cannot know which car insurance company will have the lowest rates.
Understanding the coverages of car insurance aids in choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are typical coverages available from car insurance companies.
Collision protection
Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with an object or car. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers claims like rolling your car, sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a parking meter and damaging your car on a curb. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
UM/UIM Coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Dodge Avenger.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Coverage for liability
Liability coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for claims like bail bonds, legal defense fees and funeral expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hail damage, damage from flooding, vandalism, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and fire damage. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.
Medical costs insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills for things like dental work, ambulance fees, rehabilitation expenses, doctor visits and nursing services. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
When searching for affordable auto insurance quotes, it’s very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your strategy should be to buy enough coverage for the lowest price, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
You just read some good ideas how you can compare 2008 Dodge Avenger insurance rates online. The key thing to remember is the more companies you get car insurance rates for, the better your chances of lowering your car insurance rates. Drivers may discover the biggest savings come from a lesser-known regional company. They can often insure niche markets at a lower cost than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm or Progressive.
Additional insurance coverage information is located on the following sites: