Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy overpriced insurance? Believe me, there are many people just like you.
Numerous insurance companies battle for your hard-earned dollar, so it’s not easy to compare every insurer and get the definite best rate
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using these methods. Finding affordable coverage is easy if you know what you’re doing. Although consumers benefit from understanding the way insurance companies determine prices and apply this information to your search.
The quickest method we recommend to compare insurance rates from multiple companies is to know almost all companies actually pay money for the chance to give free rates quotes. The only thing you need to do is provide details including if you require a SR-22, what you do for a living, how you use your vehicles, and the year, make and model of vehicles. Your information is then submitted to all major companies and they return cost estimate within a short period of time.
Car insurance companies do not list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the next list breaks down some of the best known as well as some of the hidden discounts you could be receiving when you buy insurance online. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.
Remember that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates you could get a free insurance coverage policy, you aren’t that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will lower the amount you pay for coverage.
To see providers with the best discounts, click here.
When choosing coverage for your vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions might point out if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Collision coverage protection
This covers damage to your 5 Series from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for things such as damaging your car on a curb, backing into a parked car, sideswiping another vehicle, crashing into a building and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Medical expense coverage
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for expenses like doctor visits, hospital visits, rehabilitation expenses, prosthetic devices and ambulance fees. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive protection
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, hitting a bird, falling objects, theft and rock chips in glass. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your BMW 5 Series.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.
Liability auto insurance
This coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. It protects YOU against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have liability limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers claims like funeral expenses, attorney fees, bail bonds and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.
Vincent Hodges
I went with Progressive at renewal. Best rates in Norman, OK. Left Safeco to switch. They have free quotes online. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.
Veronika Berger
Just my two cents. I live just outside Salt Lake City, UT. Quoted prices from 21st Century, GMAC, and Esurance for my 1993 BMW 5 Series and I’m now saving $18 a month. I just quoted rates online.
Leatha Beach
I got quite a few price quotes for a 1993 BMW 5 Series in San Jose, CA. Ended up at roughly $70 every six months with Auto-Owners. Thankfully I have a good driving record. They offer free online rate quotes.
Vanita Heath
Anyone buy from American Family? I’m in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
Chloe Alston
Here’s what I found out. Proud to be from Boise, ID. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $20 each month. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy. You can get a rate quote online.
Della Giles
Are custom wheels covered by insurance?
Mui Hewitt
I’m in the suburbs of San Jose, CA. Compared quite a few companies. Saved roughly $20 a month. Progressive was the most affordable for me. Moved home policy as well. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent. I don’t put full coverage on it.
Latoya Dalton
I think I’m paying too much. I’m in Buffalo, NY. I quoted with AAA, Mercury, and a few others for my 5 Series and am saving around $60 a year. Insured with Allstate before. I got a quote from their website. I think I’ll get rid of full coverage next time.
Daren Wilkerson
Not sure if this is cheap. Went with AIG Insurance for my 5 Series and cut my rates about $110 a year. I used their website to get prices.