Searching for cheaper insurance coverage may be overwhelming for drivers new to quoting and comparing rates on the internet. With so many insurance agents and companies, how are we expected to have the ability to compare each option to find the cheapest price possible?
If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Finding affordable protection is not that difficult. But car owners can benefit from knowing how companies market on the web and use this information to your advantage.
Comparing car insurance rates can be exhausting if you don’t understand the fastest way to get free quotes. You can spend your afternoon talking to local insurance agents in your area, or you can utilize the web to accomplish the same thing much quicker.
Most of the larger companies are enrolled in a marketplace where insurance shoppers enter their coverage request one time, and each company can provide price quotes determined by their information. This saves time by eliminating form submissions to each company.
To use this form to compare rates click here to start a free quote.
The one disadvantage to getting quotes like this is that consumers can’t choose which companies you will receive quotes from. If you prefer to choose specific providers to compare prices, we have a page of companies who write car insurance in your area. Click here to view list.
Take whichever approach you prefer, but try to keep exactly the same coverage data for each price quote. If each company quotes higher or lower deductibles it will be next to impossible to determine the best price for your Chevy C/K 3500 Series. Just slight variations in coverages may result in a large different in cost. And when quoting car insurance, remember that having more price comparisons helps increase your odds of locating the best rates. Some insurance companies are not set up to provide prices over the internet, so it’s necessary to compare rates from them as well.
Respected companies like Geico, State Farm and Progressive continually stream ads in print and on television. All the companies tend to make the same promise that you can save if you switch your coverage to them. How can each company save you money? This is how they do it.
Most companies have specific characteristics for the type of insured that will generate a profit. One example of a driver they prefer might be described as between 30 and 50, carries high limits, and drives newer vehicles. Anyone who meets those qualifications receive the lowest rate quotes and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Drivers who don’t measure up to these standards will be charged higher premium rates which results in the customer not buying. If you listen closely, the ads state “people who switch” not “everyone who quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s the way companies can advertise the way they do. This illustrates why you really need to do a quote comparison often. It is just not possible to predict with any certainty which company will fit you best based on your risk profile.
Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this allows you to make good choices that can help you get big savings. Many different elements are part of the equation when premium rates are determined. Some are obvious like an MVR report, but others are not quite as obvious such as whether you are married or how safe your car is.
The factors shown below are a few of the “ingredients” companies use to determine your prices.
Companies do not advertise every policy discount very well, so below is a list a few of the more common and also the more inconspicuous credits available to lower your premiums when you buy car insurance online. If you do not double check each discount possible, you are throwing money away.
While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though you would think all the discounts add up to a free policy, that’s just not realistic. Any qualifying discounts will definitely reduce your car insurance premiums.
For a list of insurance companies that offer many of these discounts, click here.
When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your situation may require specific advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
Having a good grasp of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Insurance terms can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.
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 1998 Chevy C/K 3500 Series.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
This coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people that is your fault. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have values of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.
Liability coverage protects against things like repair costs for stationary objects, loss of income, court costs and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like hitting a deer, hail damage, vandalism, damage from flooding and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like nursing services, rehabilitation expenses, pain medications and X-ray expenses. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision insurance covers damage to your C/K 3500 Series resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers claims such as rolling your car, hitting a mailbox, damaging your car on a curb and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Budget-friendly auto insurance is available on the web in addition to local insurance agencies, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who may not provide rates over the internet and many times these smaller providers only sell coverage through independent agencies.
Consumers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, high prices, extreme rates for teen drivers or even high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new company can be pretty painless.
As you restructure your insurance plan, never buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where someone dropped liability limits or collision coverage and discovered at claim time that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The ultimate goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage at the best possible price while still protecting your assets.
For more information, link through to the resources below:
Chas Bates
If you have a clean record and are close to Louisville, KY, check out 21st Century. They seem to be cheaper. I’m a pretty low risk driver. Hardly afford to drive anymore.
Geraldo Lambert
Does Progressive insure at replacement cost?
Deidre Fletcher
Mine is so expensive. Live in the western part of Concord, New Hampshire. I compared lots of rates. Saved about $20 a month. Allstate was the cheapest for me. Have an at-fault accident tho. You can get a rate quote online. Book value doesn’t justify full coverage anymore.
Ericka Harper
Proud to be from Idaho Falls, ID. I quoted with 21st Century, Farmers, and Hartford for my Chevrolet and saved just over $110 a year. Not sure about claim service. Just liability coverage since it’s getting old.
Robert Weeks
Does 21st Century have low rates for teen drivers?
Brian Kirk
In Birmingham, AL, Amica had the best rates for my 1998 Chevrolet C/K 3500 Series. When should I drop full coverage?
Carma Hardin
This is too expensive. Got a quote with Hartford for my Chevrolet and saved about $100 a year. Insured with Nationwide before. Switched homeowners coverage too. Can still barely afford it. Next renewal I’ll just do liability.