Feel like you’re a prisoner to an underperforming, overpriced insurance policy? Believe me when I say there are many consumers feeling the pinch from expensive insurance.
Multiple insurance companies compete for your business, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers and uncover the absolute cheapest price
You need to compare prices occasionally due to the fact that insurance rates are usually higher with each renewal. If you had the lowest rates on Jimmy coverage a few years ago there may be better deals available now. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the things you must know in order to get good coverage at a lower rate.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this information. Choosing the best insurance company for you is not rocket science. Although consumers can benefit by having an understanding of the methods companies use to determine prices and use this information to your advantage.
The quickest method to get policy rate comparisons is to know the trick all the major auto insurance companies will pay a fee to give free rates quotes. The only thing you need to do is take a few minutes to give details like your education level, any included safety features, what your job is, and your credit rating estimate. That rating information is instantly submitted to all major companies and you will get price comparisons quickly.
Car insurance companies do not list all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down both the well known and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So even though it sounds like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.
Companies who might offer some of the above discounts may include but are not limited to:
It’s a good idea to ask each company which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts may not be available in every state.
When it comes to buying the best insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different so your insurance should reflect that For example, these questions may help you determine if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.
If you can’t answer these questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area.
Learning about specific coverages of your auto insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are the usual coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as damage from getting keyed, hitting a deer, fire damage, falling objects and damage from flooding. The most your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Liability – Liability coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other people or property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers claims like bail bonds, legal defense fees, medical services and loss of income. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Medical payments coverage and PIP – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for immediate expenses for things like pain medications, prosthetic devices and chiropractic care. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This provides protection from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 1998 GMC Jimmy.
Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.
Collision coverages – This covers damage to your Jimmy from colliding with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for things like colliding with a tree, backing into a parked car, scraping a guard rail, colliding with another moving vehicle and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.