No one looks forward to paying for auto insurance, especially when they are paying too much.
You have multiple car insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and even though it’s nice to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to locate the cheapest rates.
There are a lot of ways to shop for insurance, and some are more efficient than others. You could waste a few hours talking to local insurance agents in your area, or you can utilize the web to get pricing more quickly.
Most of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to submit their information once, and every company can give them a price. This saves time by eliminating quote requests for each company you want a rate for. To participate in this free quote system, click to open in new window.
The only downside to pricing coverage this way is you cannot specify the providers to get pricing from. So if you want to select specific providers for rate comparison, we put together a list of insurance companies in your area. Click here to view list.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just be sure to compare exactly the same coverage limits for every company. If the quotes have mixed coverages it’s not possible to find the best deal for your Acura NSX. Just a small difference in coverages may result in large price differences. And when comparison shopping, quoting more gives you a better chance of getting the best price.
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of purchase, but some must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.
Drivers should understand that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you won’t be that lucky. Any amount of discount will help reduce your overall premium however.
For a list of companies who offer car insurance discounts, click here.
When it comes to choosing coverage, there really is not a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions may help highlight whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Understanding the coverages of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are the normal coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Collision – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims like sustaining damage from a pot hole, driving through your garage door, backing into a parked car, crashing into a building and hitting a parking meter. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability car insurance – This coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, $300,000 for the entire accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) which limits claims to one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability can pay for things such as emergency aid, loss of income and structural damage. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford.
Comprehensive auto coverage – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, damage from flooding, damage from a tornado or hurricane, hitting a deer and falling objects. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Medical payments and PIP coverage – Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for immediate expenses for things like pain medications, EMT expenses and prosthetic devices. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Acura NSX.
Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Usually the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.