If you’ve never shopped for auto insurance quotes online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed of insurance providers all offering big savings.
There are a lot of ways to compare insurance coverage prices but one way is more efficient than others. You can spend countless hours discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you can utilize online quoting to get prices fast.
Many companies participate in a marketplace where prospective buyers submit their information once, and every company provides a quote determined by their information. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for every insurance coverage company.
To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).
The only downside to getting quotes like this is you don’t know exactly which providers to get pricing from. If you would rather choose specific insurance companies to compare prices, we put together a list of the cheapest insurance coverage companies in your area. Click here to view list.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you’re using the same coverage limits for each comparison quote. If you are comparing different liability limits you will not be able to determine which rate is truly the best. Just slight variations in insurance coverages can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that making a lot of price comparisons gives you a better chance of getting a lower rate. Not every company allows you to get online rate quotes, so it’s important to compare rates on coverage from those companies, too.
Companies don’t always publicize the complete list of policy discounts in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list a few of the more common as well as some of the hidden discounts that you can inquire about if you buy auto insurance online.
Discounts lower rates, but most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. If you do the math and it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
For a list of auto insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts, click this link.
When choosing adequate coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Every insured’s situation is different.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you can’t answer these questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Learning about specific coverages of your car insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage for your vehicles. Car insurance terms can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Medical payments and PIP coverage – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses such as pain medications, ambulance fees, rehabilitation expenses, X-ray expenses and nursing services. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover both the driver and occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and damage to your Cadillac DeVille.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Coverage for liability – This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people that is your fault. It protects you against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see policy limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, emergency aid and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy higher limits if possible.
Collision coverages – This coverage pays for damage to your DeVille caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree and backing into a parked car. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive auto coverage – This will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like hail damage, rock chips in glass, vandalism and theft. The maximum payout a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Tangela Green
Proud to be from Rochester, MN. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $30 each month. It’s still not cheap enough.
Jaye Sherman
It’s all a rip off. I’m from Honolulu, HI. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $20 each month. It’s easy to compare rates online now. I only have liability coverage on it.
Shonta Underwood
Lots of good stuff here. I live in a small town just outside of Grand Forks, ND. Received prices from Allstate, American Family, and some I forget for my Cadillac and cut my rates about $60 a year. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent. I think I’ll get rid of full coverage next time.
Jacquline Leonard
Will GEICO cancel my policy for a liability claim?
Stevie Mercado
Need cheaper insurance rates for my teenage driver in Atlanta, Georgia!!
Burl Quinn
Any 21st Century or Erie customers near Warren, Michigan?
Alton Burris
In Seattle, WA compare Allstate with GEICO and see which is best.
Jule Goff
If you’re a decent driver and live near Springfield, MO, check out Progressive. They seem to be cheaper. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent.
Sara Ruiz
I found pretty cheap rate quotes for a 1991 Cadillac DeVille in Springfield, Missouri. Ended up at about $70 every six months with Auto-Owners. Full coverage costs too much.
Jack Robinson
Quoted with Allstate for my Cadillac and saved about $80 a year. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate.
Simona Guerra
If you have a good history and are close to Concord, NH, check out Progressive. They seem to be cheaper. Insured with Nationwide before. I have a teen driver too. You can get a rate quote online.
Katheryn Jenkins
I’ve had 21st Century for years. I’m in Fort Wayne, IN.