I can’t think of anyone who cherishes buying auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much. Many insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurer and get the best coverage at the lowest cost out there.
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Some discounts apply automatically when you get a quote, but some must be specifically requested before they will apply. If you don’t get every credit possible, you’re paying more than you need to.
It’s important to understand that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount will bring down your overall premium however.
Companies that may have these discounts include:
Check with each company which discounts they offer. Some discounts might not apply in your area.
An important part of buying insurance is that you know some of the elements that play a part in calculating insurance coverage rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that will entitle you to better insurance coverage rates.
Shown below are a partial list of the pieces insurance coverage companies consider when setting prices.
When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions might point out whether or not you will benefit from professional help.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and can provide invaluable advice.
Knowing the specifics of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on the average insurance policy.
Liability coverage
Liability coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. It protects YOU from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see policy limits of 50/100/50 which means a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use a combined limit which limits claims to one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for things such as bail bonds, attorney fees, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy as large an amount as possible.
UM/UIM Coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Ford F-350.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Medical costs insurance
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for immediate expenses for pain medications, ambulance fees, dental work, funeral costs and prosthetic devices. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision insurance
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your F-350 resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree and hitting a mailbox. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
Comprehensive insurance pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like theft, damage from a tornado or hurricane and falling objects. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.
We’ve covered a lot of techniques to save on 1995 Ford F-350 insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more quotes you get, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the best prices are with some of the smallest insurance companies. Smaller companies often have lower prices on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate and Progressive.
Discount insurance is available on the web in addition to many insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. Some companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.