When searching for more affordable insurance, do you get frustrated by the dozens of insurance companies in your area? Drivers have so many options that it can easily turn into a challenge to lower your premium rates.
Consumers need to compare prices before your next renewal because insurance prices are constantly changing. Even if you got the lowest rates for Rodeo coverage a few years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate quote today. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because I’m going to teach you the quickest way to remove unneeded coverages and save money.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to save some money using this strategy. The purpose of this article is to help educate you on how to get online quotes and some money-saving tips. Nevertheless, drivers can benefit by having an understanding of how insurance companies market on the web and use this information to your advantage.
There are a lot of ways you can shop for insurance coverage but one way is easier and takes less work. You can waste a few hours (or days) driving to local insurance agents in your area, or you can utilize online quoting for quick rates.
All the larger companies participate in a marketplace that enables customers to submit one quote, and each participating company then gives them pricing based on that information. This prevents consumers from doing quote forms for each company. To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to open in new window.
The one disadvantage to using this type of form is that you can’t choose which providers you want to price. If you prefer to choose from a list of companies to compare prices, we have a page of companies who write insurance coverage in your area. View list of insurance companies.
You can use whichever method you prefer to find lower rates, just compare apples-to-apples coverage information on every quote. If your comparisons have higher or lower deductibles you will not be able to truly determine the lowest rate. Just a small difference in limits can make a big difference in price. And when price shopping your coverage, quoting more will increase your chances of finding the best rates. Not every company allows you to get rate quotes online, so it’s necessary to compare price quotes on coverage from those companies, too.
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you might be missing out on some discounts to reduce the price significantly. A few discounts will be applied at quote time, but a few must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings. If you are not receiving all the discounts available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
As a sidenote, some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comp or med pay. So even though they make it sound like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Companies and a summarized list of policyholder discounts are shown below.
If you are trying to find cheap auto insurance quotes, ask each company which discounts you may be entitled to. Some credits may not be offered in your area. For a list of auto insurance companies that have a full spectrum of discounts, click here.
When buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Comprehensive coverage
This will pay to fix damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from flooding, damage from a tornado or hurricane, a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed and rock chips in glass. The highest amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
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 very important. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Collision insurance
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for claims like rolling your car, sustaining damage from a pot hole, driving through your garage door and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like EMT expenses, pain medications, nursing services, rehabilitation expenses and surgery. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover you and your occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible
Liability car insurance
This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property in an accident. It protects you against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see values of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Some companies may use one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for things like funeral expenses, pain and suffering and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.
Maya Lewis
Lots of good stuff here. From south side of Jacksonville, FL. Quoted quotes from State Farm, American Family, Farmers, and Hanover for my 2000 Isuzu Rodeo and saved just over $60 a year. Was with AAA. I’m a pretty low risk driver.
Nanette Trujillo
Great info, thanks for posting. Found cheapest coverage with GMAC for my Isuzu and am saving around $110 a year. Book value doesn’t justify full coverage anymore.
Robin Wall
I got quite a few price quotes for a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ended up at roughly $70 every six months with AAA. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate.
Cassy Roman
What is comprehensive coverage?
Rebecca Richard
From north side of Shreveport, LA. Got car insurance prices from Western Auto Insurance, Amica, The General, and Mercury for my Isuzu and saved just over $90 a year. Was with Farmers. I just carry liability insurance.
Lewis Abbott
Quoted with GMAC for my Isuzu and saved around $60 a year. Left Hanover to switch. I recommend comparing lots of rates. It’s only liability tho.
Terrance Barlow
Good detail in your article. Lifelong resident of Worcester, MA. I got free quotes from Amica, Esurance, and Mercury for my Isuzu and I’m now saving $12 a month.
Trey Flynn
I can’t pay high rates. I’m from Phoenix, AZ. Not sure of all the companies but I ended up saving about $30 each month. Have a couple speeding tickets too. They have free quotes online. I just carry liability insurance.
Toby Jacobson
All insurance companies are crooks.
Garland Tran
Will 21st Century raise rates for a small claim?
Lolita Galloway
Looking for cheaper 2000 Isuzu Rodeo insurance in Dallas, TX. Help!
Lean English
I’m in New York City, NY, and GEICO rates were affordable. I think they have home insurance too. They offer free online rate quotes.
Alix Salas
Proud to be from Newark, NJ. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved right around $20 a month. Progressive was the most affordable for me. I get multi-vehicle and multi-policy discounts. Bought it from an online quote.
Yon Justice
I live in a small town just outside of Bangor, ME. Got car insurance prices from American Family, Nationwide, and a few others for my 2000 Isuzu Rodeo and I’m now saving $11 a month.