Have you had enough of being strong-armed each month for car insurance? You are no different than many other drivers. Because you have many options when it comes to insurance, it can be impossible to pick the best car insurance company.
It’s a great practice to compare prices periodically due to the fact that insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you found the lowest rates on 9-5 coverage six months ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. There is a lot of wrong information about insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn some great ideas on how to find cheap insurance.
Cutting your insurance coverage rates is not rocket science. Just invest a few minutes comparing price quotes online with multiple companies. This can be done using a couple different methods.
The recommended way to find low rates would be an industry-wide quote request form (click to open form in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for every insurance coverage company. One form gets rate comparisons instantly.
A less efficient way to analyze rates is to take the time to go to each company’s website and complete a new quote form. For example, we’ll assume you want rates from Nationwide, Esurance and Allstate. You would have to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.
The hardest method of comparing rate quotes is driving around to local insurance agencies. Buying insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the personal advice only provided by licensed agents. However, consumers can get prices online and get advice from an agent in your area and you’ll learn how to do that later.
Whichever way you use, be sure to compare apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits on every quote you get. If you use differing limits it will be next to impossible to determine the best price for your Saab 9-5.
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you may find discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied when you complete an application, but a few must be requested specifically before being credited. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only cut specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will cut the amount you have to pay.
For a list of insurers with discount insurance rates, click this link.
When it comes to buying coverage for your vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions may help highlight whether you may require specific advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you might want to talk to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.
Knowing the specifics of a auto insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are typical coverages offered by auto insurance companies.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills such as chiropractic care, doctor visits, hospital visits and pain medications. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers you and your occupants and also covers getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Comprehensive auto coverage
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as falling objects, hail damage, vandalism, hitting a deer and damage from getting keyed. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider dropping full coverage.
Liability
This will cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. It does not 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. You might see liability limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability can pay for claims like court costs, medical services, structural damage and bail bonds. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy as much as you can afford.
Collision insurance
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims such as hitting a mailbox, damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Saab 9-5.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.