Expensive auto insurance can dwindle your savings account, especially in this economy. Doing a price comparison is a smart way to help make ends meet.
There is such a variety of insurers to buy insurance from, and even though it’s nice to have multiple companies, it can be more difficult to adequately compare rates.
Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to reduce your rates substantially using these techniques. Although car owners need to learn the methods companies use to price online insurance and use this information to your advantage.
The fastest way that we advise to compare car insurance company rates is to take advantage of the fact most of the larger companies participate in online systems to compare rate quotes. To get started, all you need to do is provide information such as whether the vehicles are used for commuting, how old drivers are, whether you have decent credit, and whether you are married. The data is submitted instantly to multiple different insurance companies and you receive quotes immediately.
When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether your personal situation may require specific advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of insurance coverage companies in your area.
Learning about specific coverages of your auto insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are the usual coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, vandalism, falling objects, damage from getting keyed and hail damage. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision coverage protection
Collision insurance covers damage to your Ram Pickup 3500 caused by collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for things like rolling your car, scraping a guard rail and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
UM/UIM Coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Dodge Ram Pickup 3500.
Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Medical costs insurance
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills for things like dental work, pain medications and ambulance fees. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Liability
This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for 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. As an example, you may have values of 100/300/100 that means you have a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage pays for things such as funeral expenses, attorney fees, emergency aid, repair costs for stationary objects and legal defense fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.