Sick and tired of scraping nickels together to keep your car insured? You are in the same boat as most other consumers.
Companies like Allstate, Liberty Mutual and State Farm all promote huge savings with advertising and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the flying pigs and cute green geckos and do the work needed to find the best deal.
It’s a great practice to do price comparisons before your policy renews because auto insurance rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you found the lowest premium rates for Explorer Sport coverage a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the easiest way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.
Performing a rate comparison can take hours if you aren’t aware of the fastest way to get free quotes. You could spend your day discussing policy coverages with insurance companies in your area, or you can utilize online quotes to get the quickest rates.
Many of the larger companies belong to a marketplace that enables customers to send in one quote, and each company provides a quote based on that information. This eliminates the need for quote forms to each individual auto insurance company.
To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click here to open in new window.
The one disadvantage to pricing coverage this way is you are unable to specify which carriers to receive prices from. If you wish to select individual companies to compare, we have a listing of low cost auto insurance companies in your area. Click here to view list.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you compare apples-to-apples coverages with every price quote. If you have different data it will be next to impossible to determine which company has the best rates. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits could skew the results. Keep in mind that comparing more company’s prices will increase your chances of finding better pricing.
Buying car insurance is not cheap, but there’s a good chance there are discounts that you may not even know about. Some trigger automatically when you purchase, but less common discounts must be specifically requested prior to receiving the credit.
Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you’re out of luck. But all discounts will cut your policy premiums.
The best car insurance companies and a selection of discounts can be read below.
When getting a coverage quote, ask each company which discounts they offer. Savings may not apply in your area. To locate insurers who offer online car insurance quotes, click here to view.
When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether or not you may require specific advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. These are the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.
Liability insurance
This coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
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 limits of 50/100/50 which means a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers things like medical expenses, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.
Collision insurance
This coverage pays for damage to your Explorer Sport from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things like sustaining damage from a pot hole, sideswiping another vehicle and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. You can also increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
This provides protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your 2002 Ford Explorer Sport.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as hitting a bird, damage from flooding, damage from a tornado or hurricane, a broken windshield and hitting a deer. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills for hospital visits, nursing services, dental work, funeral costs and X-ray expenses. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Colette Joyner
Good detail in your article. I live north of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. Ended up at about $110 savings annually. Went with 21st Century. Was with Liberty Mutual. I have kids on my policy, too.
Brittni Dillon
It all costs too much. Got a quote with 21st Century for my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport and saved about $110 a year. I even had a DUI years ago. I got a quote from their website. My Explorer Sport doesn’t have full coverage.
Lupita Rodriquez
Not sure what I should be paying. Checking in from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Received quotes with Amica, Erie, and Safeco for my Explorer Sport and saved just over $110 a year. I get lower rates because of my clean driving record. They offer free online rate quotes. Full coverage costs too much.
Justin Franks
Nice post. I’m in the north part of Worcester, MA. I don’t recall every quote but I ended up saving about $30 each month. It’s too old for full coverage.
Hee Horne
Live in Norfolk, VA. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. Ended up at about $100 savings annually. Went with Progressive. Left GEICO to switch. It was easy to get rates.
Lavette Jackson
Lifelong resident of Philadelphia, PA and for me GEICO had the lowest quote. Left Amica to switch. Moved home policy as well. I used their online quote form to compare rates. Only insure liability on my Explorer Sport.
Queenie Elliott
If you’re from Allentown, PA get quotes from State Farm and GEICO and you might save.
Dean Cook
When do I drop full coverage?