If you are a novice to online insurance coverage shopping, by this point your are probably overwhelmed due to the large selection of online companies competing for your business.
It’s important to get comparison quotes periodically because prices are usually higher with each renewal. If you had the best price for LS 400 coverage six months ago other companies may now be cheaper. Ignore everything you know about insurance coverage because you’re about to learn the best methods to find great coverage at a great price.
Shopping for lower auto insurance rates can be a lot of work if you don’t understand the most efficient way. You can waste hours talking to agents in your area, or you could use the internet to quickly compare rates.
Most of the best insurance companies take part in a program where prospective buyers submit one quote, and at least one company provides a quote for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company.
To access this free quoting program, click here (opens in new window).
One minor caviat to using this type of form is you can’t choose the providers you want pricing from. So if you prefer to pick individual companies to compare, we have a listing of companies who write auto insurance in your area. Click here to view list.
You can use whichever method you prefer to find lower rates, just do your best to enter exactly the same information on every price quote you get. If you compare different coverage information it’s not possible to make a fair rate comparison. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages or limits may result in a large different in cost. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that quoting more will increase your chances of finding lower pricing.
Companies don’t necessarily list every possible discount very clearly, so we took the time to find a few of the more common and also the lesser-known credits that may apply to you.
While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Despite the appearance that all the discounts add up to a free policy, it’s just not the way it works.
Companies that may offer most of these discounts include:
Before purchasing a policy, check with all companies you are considering which discounts can lower your rates. A few discounts may not be offered in your area. To view insurance companies that offer discounts, follow this link.
When choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
For example, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form.
Understanding the coverages of a insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Collision coverage protection
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for things such as crashing into a building, scraping a guard rail, hitting a mailbox, damaging your car on a curb and driving through your garage door. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical expense insurance
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills like surgery, ambulance fees, chiropractic care, funeral costs and doctor visits. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as rock chips in glass, hitting a bird, vandalism and theft. The most you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Coverage for liability
This protects you from damage or injury you incur to people or other property by causing an accident. It 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. You commonly see liability limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage protects against claims like loss of income, structural damage, bail bonds, medical services and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy as large an amount as possible.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your Lexus LS 400.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Frequently these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
Rosia Massey
Too expensive. I ride a bike.
Jerome Ball
Well-written and thought out article. Went with Esurance for my LS 400 and saved about $60 a year. I have several vehicles insured with them.
Ralph Mueller
I think State Farm has low rates in Colorado. For me anyway.
Cyril Suarez
I live in a small town just outside of Detroit, MI. I quoted with Sentry, Encompass, State Farm, and AAA for my Lexus and I think I saved about $30 each month. Next renewal I’ll just do liability.
Angeline Jimenez
Mine is so expensive. I’m from Salem, OR. Quoted prices from AAA, Farmers, and MetLife for my Lexus and I’m now saving $14 a month. Left Nationwide to switch. I don’t put full coverage on it.
Forest Malone
This is too expensive. I live just to the west of Jackson, Mississippi. Quoted with MetLife, Esurance, GEICO, and Amica for my LS 400 and I’m now saving $10 a month. :P
Dwayne Reyes
Anyone know if State Farm does SR-22s?
Kyle Silva
Great site. Found cheapest coverage with Farmers for my 1999 Lexus LS 400 and am saving around $100 a year. Anyone else drop full coverage?
Allyn Clemons
Checking in from Burlington, VT. Quoted quotes from American Family, MetLife, and USAA for my LS 400 and I’m now saving $16 a month. :P Book value doesn’t justify full coverage anymore.
Maire Cantu
Here’s my info. I live in a small town just outside of Saint Louis, Missouri. Quoted quotes from Allstate, Encompass, and Liberty Mutual for my 1999 Lexus LS 400 and saved $60 a year. It’s only liability tho.
Jarrod Oneill
If you don’t have tickets and live near Cincinnati, OH, check out GEICO. They seem to be cheaper. Thankfully I have a good driving record. Not sure about claim service.