Are you irritated from sacrificing to make your auto insurance payment? You are in the same boat as many other consumers. Multiple car insurance companies compete to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers and get the best coverage at the best rates possible.
If you are insured now or need a new policy, you can follow these tips to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. Buying car insurance is not rocket science. Drivers just need to learn the most effective way to get comparison rates online.
Finding cheap insurance coverage prices is a great way to save money. The only requirement is to take a couple of minutes to compare rate quotes provided by online insurance companies. Shoppers can get rates using a couple different methods.
The recommended way to find the lowest comparison rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This method keeps you from doing repetitive form submissions for every company. One quote request will return quotes direct from many companies.
A more time consuming way to compare rate quotes requires you to visit the website of each company and complete a new quote form. For example, let’s say you want rates from Nationwide, Progressive and State Farm. In order to get each rate, you would have to spend time on each company’s site and repeatedly type in your coverage information, which can be really labor intensive. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
The least efficient and most time consuming method to shop rates is actually driving to different agent offices. Quoting online makes this process obsolete unless your situation requires the professional guidance that you can only get from talking to an agent. It is possible to price shop your coverage online and get advice from an agent in your area.
How you compare quotes is your choice, just make sure you use exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits on every quote. If you have different values for each quote it’s impossible to determine which company has the best rates.
Auto insurance is not inexpensive, but you might be missing out on some discounts that you may not even be aware of. Some discounts will apply at the time of purchase, but a few must be specifically requested before you will receive the discount. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you are paying more than you should be.
As is typical with insurance, most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you aren’t that lucky.
A list of companies and their possible discounts can be found below.
When quoting, ask each company what discounts are available to you. Some credits may not be offered in your state. To find insurers that provide some of the discounts listed above, click here to view.
When choosing adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so this has to be addressed. For example, these questions might point out whether you would benefit from professional advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and may give you better protection.
Learning about specific coverages of your auto insurance policy aids in choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for short-term medical expenses such as prosthetic devices, EMT expenses and funeral costs. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers both the driver and occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your F-150 caused by collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against things such as rolling your car, crashing into a building, hitting a parking meter, damaging your car on a curb and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
This protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your Ford F-150.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
This coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like rock chips in glass, fire damage, hail damage and a broken windshield. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Liability coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see limits of 50/100/50 which means a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability coverage pays for things like bail bonds, repair costs for stationary objects, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but you should buy higher limits if possible.
As you shop your coverage around, don’t be tempted to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many instances, an insured cut collision coverage and discovered at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.
There are still a few companies who do not offer online rate quotes regional carriers prefer to sell through independent insurance agents. Budget-friendly insurance is possible online and from local agencies, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates.
Additional insurance information can be read at the links below
Shemeka Lewis
$100 to anyone who understands their policy.
Nickole Delacruz
I’m in the suburbs of Montgomery, Alabama and for me Allstate had the lowest quote. Hopefully won’t need it. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.
Deana Whitfield
I can’t pay high rates. From west side of Jersey City, New Jersey. Checked online prices for a 2003 Ford F-150. Ended up at about $100 savings annually. Went with Allstate. Left State Farm to switch. Even increased coverage a bit. Not sure about claim service. Anyone else drop full coverage?
Desiree Nichols
I can’t pay high rates. Checking in from Rutland, VT. Received prices from Auto-Owners, MetLife, and Travelers for my Ford and saved just over $100 a year. Hopefully won’t need it.
Vanita Puckett
Affordable car insurance is a myth. I live west of Warwick, Rhode Island. Quoted with Progressive, American Family, and Eastwood for my Ford and saved just over $110 a year. Ask about discounts. It never hurts to quote around. I just carry liability insurance.
Rudy Mccarthy
Thanks for putting this site together. From northwest of Buffalo, NY. I got free quotes with AIG Insurance, MetLife, and USAA for my 2003 Ford F-150 and saved just over $110 a year. LOL Full coverage costs too much.
Brandon Banks
Liked the article. I live west of Little Rock, Arkansas. Got car insurance quotes with Amica, Sentry, and USAA for my F-150 and saved just over $90 a year. Left Encompass to switch.
Beth Bruce
I’ve insured with GEICO for a long time. Pretty cheap in Concord, New Hampshire.
Mack Navarro
I’ve insured with Allstate for a long time. Pretty cheap in Pittsburgh, PA.
Stefani Humphrey
I live just outside Anchorage, AK. Quoted with Progressive, AAA, and some I forget for my Ford and I’m now saving $18 a month. I’m a pretty low risk driver.
Donnie Ochoa
Will State Farm do a SR22 in Maine?
Neville Clark
Checking in from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved right around $30 a month. State Farm was the cheapest option for me. I got a quote from their website. I don’t insure for physical damage though.
Verdie Morse
Anyone know of any company in South Burlington, Vermont that will insure high risk drivers?
Samara Nolan
I got decent rates for a 2003 Ford F-150 in Madison, WI. Ended up at roughly $110 every six months with Auto-Owners. Left Travelers to switch. Moved home policy as well. Just go online and compare their rates. I’m thinking about dropping full coverage though.
Evangeline Leach
Anyone try to read their policy?