Are you overwhelmed by the number of car insurance providers that you can choose from? Vehicle owners have so many options that it can really be a lot of work to lower your car insurance rates.
You need to quote other rates before your policy renews because prices trend upward over time. Even if you got the lowest rates on Golf insurance six months ago you may be paying too much now. Forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you’re about to find out one of the easiest ways to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.
Locating the cheapest insurance coverage is quite easy. Basically, anyone who buys insurance stands a good chance to be able to lower their premiums. Although car owners do need to know the way insurance companies market insurance on the web and take advantage of how the system works.
Comparing insurance rates can be a lot of work if you don’t know the best way to get rate quotes. You can waste a lot of time talking about coverages with local insurance agents in your area, or you could save time and use online quoting to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.
Most major companies are enrolled in a marketplace that enables customers to submit one quote, and each company returns a rated price. This saves time by eliminating quote forms to every company.
To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click here to open in new window.
The only drawback to getting quotes like this is you are unable to specify the companies you will receive quotes from. If you wish to select individual companies to receive pricing from, we have assembled a list of the cheapest insurance companies in your area. Click here for list of insurance companies.
Whichever way you use, be certain you are entering equivalent quote data for every company. If each company quotes different deductibles it’s not possible to decipher which rate is best. Just slight variations in coverages could skew the results. Just remember that comparing a large number of companies helps you find the best rates. Not every company allows you to get quotes online, so it’s important to also get price estimates from them as well.
Popular car insurance providers such as State Farm, Geico and Progressive endlessly run ads in print and on television. All the ads make an identical promise that people will save if you just switch your policy. How do they all make the same claim?
Car insurance companies have underwriting criteria for the type of customer that will be a good risk. One example of a profitable insured might have to be between 25 and 40, has never had a claim, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote that meets those criteria receive the lowest rate quotes and will also cut their rates if they switch.
Consumers who don’t qualify for these criteria may receive a higher premium which translates to business going elsewhere. If you pay close attention to the ads, they say “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. This is how insurance companies can make those claims.
Because of the profiling, you need to compare many company’s rates. It is just not possible to predict which insurance companies will have the lowest prices for your situation.
The best way to find cheaper auto insurance is to take a look at some of the factors that are used to determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. If you have some idea of what positively or negatively impacts your premiums, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that may result in lower auto insurance prices.
The items below are some of the factors companies use to determine your premiums.
Not too many consumers would say car insurance is affordable, but discounts can save money and there are some available that could help you make your next renewal payment. Many discounts should be triggered at quote time, but less common discounts must be requested specifically prior to getting the savings.
While discounts sound great, it’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. Despite the fact that it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you aren’t that lucky.
A few of the larger companies and some of the premium reductions they offer can be found below.
If you want the cheapest car insurance quotes, ask all companies you are considering to give you their best rates. Some of the discounts discussed earlier might not be available to policyholders in your state. If you would like to see a list of providers with the best car insurance discounts, click here to view.
When buying the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no “perfect” insurance plan. Every situation is different.
These are some specific questions can aid in determining whether or not you might need professional guidance.
If you can’t answer these questions, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, take a second and complete this form.
Learning about specific coverages of a car insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
UM/UIM Coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Usually these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Liability auto insurance
Liability coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 25/50/25 that translate to a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage protects against claims like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical services and pain and suffering. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.
Collision coverage protection
This coverage covers damage to your Golf resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers things like colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch, crashing into a building, rolling your car and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Medical costs insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for expenses for rehabilitation expenses, doctor visits, surgery, hospital visits and X-ray expenses. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers all vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed and hail damage. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
As you quote car insurance, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. In many cases, someone sacrificed full coverage only to discover later that it was a big mistake. The goal is to find the BEST coverage at an affordable rate.
Insureds switch companies for a variety of reasons including high rates after DUI convictions, being labeled a high risk driver, denial of a claim or even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new company is easier than you think.
Budget-conscious 2001 Volkswagen Golf insurance is available online and with local insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies may not offer online price quotes and most of the time these regional carriers work with independent agents.
To learn more, take a look at these articles:
Karla Rodriguez
Live in Rutland, VT. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2001 Volkswagen Golf. Ended up at about $110 savings annually. Went with State Farm. Left Allstate to switch. They have a lot of discounts available.
Francisco Blankenship
All insurance companies are crooks.
Twila Ortega
I live just to the west of Mobile, Alabama, and GEICO rates were best.
Claretta Oliver
Anyone buy from Amica? I’m in Fargo, North Dakota.
Kenia Atkinson
Cheap is not always the best policy. I’m in the north part of Salem, OR. I quoted with Liberty Mutual, Amica, MetLife, and a couple others for my 2001 Volkswagen Golf and saved just over $90 a year. Left Encompass to switch. A clean driving record helps. You can get a rate quote online.
Tinisha Nolan
Lifelong resident of Allentown, PA. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved right around $20 a month. State Farm was the best choice for me. Moved home policy as well. I dropped full coverage awhile back.
Fay Roberts
From northwest of Kansas City, MO. Received rates from 21st Century, Auto-Owners, Erie, and Hartford for my Golf and saved just over $60 a year. Switched homeowners coverage too. My Golf doesn’t have full coverage.
Livia Sawyer
It’s all a rip off. I’m in the south part of Owensboro, Kentucky. Got rates from GEICO, American Family, Farmers, and Hartford for my Volkswagen and saved $101 a year. Might find lower rates online.
Moshe Kirkland
I live on the north side of Newark, Delaware. Quoted with AAA, MetLife, and Travelers for my Golf and cut my rates about $70 a year. I have kids on my policy, too. Are quotes cheaper online? I don’t insure for physical damage though.
Moses Underwood
I live just to the east of Tucson, AZ. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved roughly $20 a month. 21st Century was the cheapest for me. Was with Farmers. Not sure about claim service.
Catarina Alvarado
Not sure what I should be paying. I live in a small town just outside of Columbus, GA. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved roughly $10 a month. GEICO was the best choice for me. Left State Farm to switch. Online quotes are the way to go.
Shanon Boyle
Good detail in your article. I’m from Nampa, ID. Quoted with 21st Century, Hanover, and Encompass for my Volkswagen and I think I saved around $30 each month. :P My Golf doesn’t have full coverage.
Ciera Navarro
Liked the article. I’m from Augusta, GA. Got car insurance quotes from Allstate, Hanover, and Encompass for my 2001 Volkswagen Golf and saved $83 a year. Left AIG Insurance to switch. They were helpful in switching over. It’s only liability tho.
Matthew Conrad
Will State Farm rates go up if I file a claim?
Donya Branch
I think I’m paying too much. From northwest of Aberdeen, SD. Quoted with American Family, Nationwide, and Western Auto Insurance for my Golf and I think I am saving around $20 each month. Left AIG Insurance to switch.