Comparing insurance quotes online may appear to be difficult at first if you are one of the millions of people new to quote comparisons online. But relax because comparing quotes is actually very simple.
If you currently have car insurance, you should be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. Pricing the cheapest protection is quite easy. Nevertheless, vehicle owners do need to learn the methods companies use to determine prices because it can help you find the best coverage.
The majority of larger companies like Allstate and Progressive allow consumers to get coverage price quotes direct online. The process doesn’t take a lot of time as you just enter your personal and coverage information into the form. After the form is submitted, their system obtains your driving and credit reports and returns a price quote.
Online price estimates makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the time required to go to several different sites and enter the same data into a form is repetitive and time-consuming. But it’s necessary to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find the lowest possible prices on insurance.
Quote rates the easy way
A better way to locate the lowest prices makes use of a single form that obtains quotes from a lot of companies. This type of form saves time, requires much less work on your part, and makes online quotes a little more enjoyable. After sending your information, your coverage is rated with multiple companies and you can pick any of the returned quotes.
If you find a better price you can simply submit the application and purchase the new policy. The entire process only takes a few minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.
To quickly find out what other companies charge, click here to open in new window and complete the simple form. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended that you enter just like they are on your policy. This helps ensure you will have an apples-to-apples comparison based on similar coverages.
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts that many consumers don’t even know exist. Some of these disounts will be visible when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about in order for you to get them.
Keep in mind that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Large insurance companies and some of the discounts are outlined below.
Before you buy a policy, ask each company which discounts you qualify for. Some discounts listed above might not be offered everywhere. If you would like to choose from a list of insurance companies who offer online insurance quotes, click here to view.
When buying the best insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.
For instance, these questions might help in determining whether you may require specific advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.
Big name companies like Allstate and Progressive consistently run television, radio, and online ads. All the companies advertise the message that you’ll save big if you just switch your coverage to them. That’s great but how can every company cost less than your current company? This is the way they can do it.
Insurance providers quote the lowest rates for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For instance, a profitable insured should be between the ages of 30 and 50, has a clean driving record, and drives newer vehicles. Someone that matches those criteria will get the preferred premium rates and most likely will cut their rates substantially.
Drivers who do not meet those criteria will get a more expensive rate which usually ends up with the customer not buying. The trick is to say “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” will save that much if they switch. That is how companies can truthfully claim big savings.
Because of these techniques, you absolutely need to compare rate quotes every year. It’s not possible to predict which car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.
Understanding the coverages of insurance helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Collision coverage – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as damaging your car on a curb, hitting a parking meter and hitting a mailbox. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Liability auto insurance – This coverage will cover damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see values of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage pays for things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, legal defense fees, loss of income and structural damage. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy as large an amount as possible.
Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses for things like ambulance fees, chiropractic care and nursing services. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – This coverage gives you protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your BMW 3 Series.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Frequently the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as a broken windshield, damage from a tornado or hurricane, fire damage, damage from getting keyed and damage from flooding. The maximum payout a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced on the web and from local insurance agents, so you need to quote insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not offer internet price quotes and most of the time these small insurance companies only sell through independent agents.
As you quote insurance, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where someone dropped physical damage coverage and discovered at claim time that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal is to buy enough coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.
Drivers change insurance companies for many reasons like policy non-renewal, high rates after DUI convictions, not issuing a premium refund and an unsatisfactory settlement offer. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is easier than you think.
More information can be read below:
Dirk Dejesus
Great info, thanks for posting. I live in Boston, Massachusetts. Received quotes from Nationwide, Farmers, Progressive, and AIG Insurance for my 3 Series and saved $66 a year. Switched homeowners coverage too. Book value doesn’t justify full coverage anymore.
Bernie Macias
21st Century is decent in Jersey City, NJ.
Diane Cobb
Anyone like their agent?
Janie Keller
This is too expensive. From west side of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Got car insurance quotes with American Family, Sentry, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my BMW and saved $92 a year. I’m a pretty low risk driver. I used their online quote form to compare rates. I just carry liability insurance.
Juliet Velazquez
Like your site, BTW. I’m in the south part of Missoula, Montana. Quoted prices from American Family, Esurance, and Safeco for my BMW and am saving around $100 a year. Might find lower rates online.
Julieta Brady
From northwest of Madison, Wisconsin. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved darn near $30 a month. State Farm was the best choice for me. Left Safeco to switch. Teenage drivers are expensive! Only insure liability on my 3 Series.
Noriko Johnston
Great site. Went with Encompass for my BMW and saved around $100 a year. Was with Encompass.
Hugo Swanson
Well-written and thought out article. I live east of Lewiston, Maine. Quoted prices from GEICO, Auto-Owners, and Esurance for my 3 Series and cut my rates about $90 a year. I got prices on the web.
Rickie Gray
I’m from Burlington, VT, and Allstate rates were best. Did it all online. I don’t put full coverage on it.
Theron Osborn
Cheapest quote for my 1999 BMW 3 Series was with Encompass. I used their website to get prices.
Venetta Hood
I compared a lot of rate quotes for a 1999 BMW 3 Series in New Orleans, LA. Ended up at right around $110 every six months with AIG Insurance. Was with Amica. Anyone else drop full coverage?
Chris Gibbs
Enjoyed the article. I live south of Fargo, ND. I got free quotes with State Farm, AAA, and some I forget for my 1999 BMW 3 Series and saved $72 a year. Good savings if you bundle. It never hurts to quote around.
Yun Stuart
I got a good deal I think. Located in Jersey City, NJ. Quoted with 21st Century, Encompass, and Hartford for my 1999 BMW 3 Series and I think I saved around $20 each month. Was with Allstate. Bought it from an online quote. It’s only liability tho.
Marietta Merrill
Just a quick comment on my experience. From northwest of Mesa, AZ. I quoted with State Farm, Farmers, and GMAC for my 3 Series and saved $97 a year. Insured with Hartford before. I get multi-vehicle and multi-policy discounts. :P
Shena Rose
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. I’m in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved darn near $20 a month. Progressive was the cheapest for me. They were helpful in switching over. My 3 Series doesn’t have full coverage.