Comparing insurance coverage quotes online can seem difficult if you haven’t ever compared insurance using quote comparisons online. But don’t give up because there is an easy way to compare rates.
Consumers should take time to compare premium rates at least once a year due to the fact that insurance prices trend upward over time. If you had the lowest rate for Civic insurance two years ago there is a good chance you can find better premium rates now. Ignore everything you know about insurance because you’re about to learn the right way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.
Companies that sell car insurance don’t always publicize all disounts in an easy-to-find place, so we researched some of the more common and the harder-to-find credits that you can use to lower your rates. If you do not double check each discount you qualify for, you could be getting lower rates.
You should keep in mind that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. Even though it appears it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
Some of the larger companies that may include these discounts include:
When comparing rates, check with every insurance company which discounts you may be entitled to. Some credits might not be offered in your area. To see a list of insurance companies that provide some of the discounts listed above, follow this link.
Respected companies like Progressive, Allstate and Geico continually stream ads in print and on television. They all try to convey promises about saving some big amount if you change to them. How does every company save you money? It’s all in the numbers.
Most companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured might be described as a female over age 40, has a clear driving record, and has a high credit rating. Anybody who fits that profile receive the lowest rate quotes and as a result will probably save a lot if they switch.
Insureds who are not a match for the ideal profile will be charged higher rates and this can result in the customer buying from a different company. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” can save as much as they claim. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do.
This really illustrates why you really need to do a rate comparison at every renewal. It’s not possible to predict with any certainty which company will have the best prices at this point in time.
When choosing the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique.
These are some specific questions could help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as damage from getting keyed, rock chips in glass and damage from flooding. The maximum payout a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for bills for things like nursing services, EMT expenses and prosthetic devices. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers all vehicle occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Honda Civic.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Usually the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
This coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show values of 50/100/50 that means you have a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability insurance covers things such as medical services, bail bonds, legal defense fees, pain and suffering and funeral expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Civic from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things like backing into a parked car, damaging your car on a curb, sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a parking meter and scraping a guard rail. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, 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.
As you restructure your insurance plan, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Some insurance coverage companies do not provide online rate quotes and most of the time these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through independent insurance agents. Budget-friendly insurance coverage can be sourced both online in addition to many insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture.
Consumers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including an unsatisfactory settlement offer, high rates after DUI convictions, lack of trust in their agent and delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is less work than it seems.
Additional information is located on the following sites:
Tuyet Irwin
Good detail in your article. I’m in the suburbs of Tucson, AZ. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $20 each month. Left Amica to switch. I’m a pretty good driver though.
Nigel Mcdaniel
If you have a good history and live near South Burlington, VT, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper. Highly recommended. I dropped full coverage awhile back.
Charlotte Cruz
If you have a good history and live in the vicinity of Louisville, KY, check out State Farm. They seem to be cheaper. Insured with Allstate before.
Tinisha Bond
Hope my rates come down. Quoted with Liberty Mutual for my Civic and saved around $100 a year. Even increased coverage a bit. I dropped full coverage awhile back.
Evangeline Hays
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. Quoted with AAA for my 1998 Honda Civic and am saving around $60 a year. It’s still not cheap enough.
Lula Gamble
Affordable car insurance is a myth. Located in Rapid City, SD. I compared lots of rates. Saved darn near $20 a month. State Farm was the cheapest for me.
Lacey Morin
How are claims handled by GEICO around Hartford, Connecticut?
Corrin Steele
Like your site, BTW. Went with State Farm for my Honda and saved about $80 a year. God forbid I actually have a claim.
Wilfred Hammond
Thought I’d throw in my experience. Located in New Haven, CT. Quoted quotes from 21st Century, Auto-Owners, Erie, and Liberty Mutual for my Honda and I’m now saving $21 a month.
Lady Church
Got pretty cheap 1998 Honda Civic insurance from State Farm in Norman, Oklahoma.