If you are new to getting insurance coverage quotes online, there’s a good chance you are confused by the diversity of auto insurance companies competing for business.
Choosing the best insurance company for you is not rocket science. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to save some money using these techniques. Nevertheless, car owners need to learn how big insurance companies price insurance differently.
All major insurance coverage companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO allow consumers to get insurance quotes direct online. Doing online quotes is easy for anyone as you just type in into a form. After you submit the form the system requests your credit score and driving record and returns pricing information based on the data you entered.
Online quotes simplifies rate comparisons, but having to visit different websites and type in the same information can get tiresome after awhile. But it’s necessary to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find better prices.
An easier way to locate the lowest prices uses one form that gets price quotes from more than one company. This type of form saves time, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes online price comparison much more efficient. After sending the form, your coverage is rated and you can select any or none of the quotes that you receive. If a lower price is quoted, you simply finish the application and purchase coverage. It can be completed in less than 10 minutes and you will find out if you’re overpaying now.
To quickly get comparison pricing now, click here and enter your information. If you currently have coverage, we recommend you enter your coverages just like they are on your policy. This way, you will have a price comparison for similar insurance coverage.
Insurance companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO consistently run television, radio, and online ads. All the ads state the claim that drivers will save a bundle if you switch to their company. Is it even possible that every company can sell you cheaper insurance coverage?
Insurance companies have specific criteria for the driver that will most likely be profitable. For example, a preferred risk could be between the ages of 30 and 45, has never had a policy lapse, and the vehicle is rated for pleasure use. Any customer that meets those criteria will get low rates as well as pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Consumers who may not quite match the requirements will see a higher premium which usually ends up with the prospect going elsewhere. The wording the ads use say “customers that switch” but not “everyone who gets a quote” save that kind of money. This is how companies can truthfully make claims like that. That is why it’s extremely important to compare as many free insurance coverage quotes as you can. Because you never know the company that will fit your personal profile best.
Car insurance companies don’t always advertise their entire list of discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we break down some of the best known and also the lesser-known credits available to bring down your rates.
Just know that most credits do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
A few popular companies and the discounts they provide are shown below.
Double check with each company or agent which credits you are entitled to. All car insurance discounts may not apply to policies in your area. To choose providers with discount rates, click here to view.
When choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is unique.
These are some specific questions can aid in determining if you may require specific advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.
Having a good grasp of your insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Auto liability – Liability coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to other’s property or people by causing an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage pays for claims such as legal defense fees, attorney fees, bail bonds, pain and suffering and repair costs for stationary objects. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but you should buy higher limits if possible.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.
Comprehensive insurance – This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as fire damage, rock chips in glass and hitting a bird. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Coverage for medical expenses – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for expenses for nursing services, hospital visits, chiropractic care, dental work and pain medications. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Collision coverage – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers things such as crashing into a ditch, colliding with a tree and backing into a parked car. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Insureds change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as unfair underwriting practices, high rates after DUI convictions, poor customer service or even an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Whatever your reason, switching companies is not as hard as you think.
Some insurance companies may not have online rate quotes and many times these small insurance companies work with independent agents. Cheaper 2008 Infiniti G37 insurance is possible from both online companies as well as from insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s not a good idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits and learned later that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.