Have you had enough of trying to scrape together enough money to pay your car insurance bill each month? Your situation is no different than many other drivers. Drivers have so many auto insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and even though it’s nice to have a choice, it makes it harder to compare company pricing.
You should make it a habit to price shop coverage yearly due to the fact that insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Even if you think you had the best rates for FJ Cruiser insurance two years ago there may be better deals available now. Block out anything you think you know about car insurance because you’re about to learn how to use online quotes to reduce your cost while improving coverage.
Finding the best rates is not rocket science. If you have car insurance now, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Consumers only need an understanding of the proper methods to compare prices over the internet.
Companies offering auto insurance do not list every discount very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the more common as well as the least known insurance coverage savings. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.
It’s important to note that most discounts do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
For a list of providers offering insurance coverage discounts, click here to view.
When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions can help discover if your situation could use an agent’s help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
Drivers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm and Allstate. All the ads say the same thing that you’ll save big if you switch your coverage to them.
How do they all say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. A good example of a desirable insured could possibly be between 25 and 40, insures multiple vehicles, and drives newer vehicles. A driver who matches those parameters is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.
Potential insureds who fall outside the “perfect” profile will be quoted a more expensive rate and this can result in business not being written. The ads state “people who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s why insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why it is so important to get as many comparisons as possible. It’s impossible to know which company will fit your personal profile best.
Having a good grasp of your auto insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims like a broken windshield, rock chips in glass, damage from a tornado or hurricane, theft and vandalism. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Collision protection
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your FJ Cruiser resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against things such as rolling your car, hitting a parking meter and colliding with a tree. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Auto liability insurance
This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 which means a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage protects against things such as pain and suffering, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Insurance for medical payments
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses like doctor visits, chiropractic care and funeral costs. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover you and your occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Cheap 2009 Toyota FJ Cruiser insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance providers don’t offer online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
While you’re price shopping online, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that it was a big mistake. The aim is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
Much more information about auto insurance is available on the following sites: