Comparison shopping for insurance can seem to be difficult for consumers new to comparing rates online. There are so many options that it can be a big hassle to find the best price.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using these tips. Shopping for affordable insurance is easy if you know what you’re doing. Nevertheless, consumers can benefit by having an understanding of how the larger insurance companies compete online and apply this information to your search.
Most major insurance companies allow you to get prices for coverage online. Getting online rates is quite easy as you just enter your personal and coverage information into the quote form. Behind the scenes, their rating system obtains credit information and your driving record and returns a price based on these and other factors.
This simplifies rate comparisons, but having to visit each company’s website and repetitively complete many quote forms is not the best way to spend an afternoon. But it’s absolutely necessary to perform this step if you are searching for lower prices.
Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?
An easier way to compare rates makes use of a single form that gets price quotes from a lot of companies. It saves time, eliminates repetitive work, and makes online shopping a lot less work. Immediately after you send the form, it is quoted and you can select any or none of the resulting price quotes.
If the quotes result in lower rates, it’s easy to complete the application and buy the new coverage. This process can be completed in less than 10 minutes and you will find out if you’re overpaying now.
In order to fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, simply click here to open in new window and begin entering your coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you complete the form with coverages and limits exactly as shown on your declarations page. Doing this guarantees you will receive a price comparison using the exact same coverages.
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you may find discounts to help bring down the price. Some trigger automatically when you quote, but a few must be specifically requested before you will receive the discount.
It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most cut individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce the cost of coverage.
To see a list of providers with discount auto insurance rates, click here.
When choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s needs are different.
These are some specific questions might help in determining whether you could use an agent’s help.
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, fill out this quick form.
Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy 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 coverage can change by endorsement.
Coverage for medical expenses
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for immediate expenses for dental work, X-ray expenses and funeral costs. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision protection
Collision coverage pays for damage to your Century resulting from a collision with another car or object. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers claims like damaging your car on a curb, colliding with a tree, crashing into a ditch, rolling your car and driving through your garage door. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Buick Century.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Normally the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Comprehensive insurance
This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding, falling objects, vandalism and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount your insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Auto liability insurance
This provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property that is your fault. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show liability limits of 100/300/100 that means you have a limit of $100,000 per injured person, 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 a combined single limit or CSL which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as emergency aid, repair costs for stationary objects and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.