Nobody likes having to buy car insurance, in particular when the price is too high.
Due to the increasing number of companies to choose from, it can be hard to pick a lower cost car insurance provider.
Some providers don’t always list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the list below details some of the best known and also the more inconspicuous ways to save on auto insurance.
Don’t be shocked that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you’re out of luck. Any amount of discount should definitely cut your overall bill.
Insurance companies that may include some of the discounts shown above may include but are not limited to:
Check with each company which discounts can lower your rates. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be offered on policies in your state. To choose companies that offer the discounts shown above, click this link.
When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that can help discover if your situation could use an agent’s help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. These are typical coverage types offered by car insurance companies.
Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for immediate expenses for things like X-ray expenses, prosthetic devices, funeral costs and hospital visits. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Liability auto insurance – This coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show limits of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, attorney fees, structural damage and court costs. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your Lincoln LS.
Due to the fact that many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is very important.
Collision coverage – This pays for damage to your LS resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for things such as crashing into a building, colliding with a tree and rolling your car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like falling objects, vandalism, hitting a bird, theft and damage from flooding. The maximum payout 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.
When you buy car insurance online, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The aim is to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate, but do not skimp to save money.
Some insurance providers don’t offer rate quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent agents. Budget-friendly insurance can be purchased online and from local agencies, and you should compare rates from both so you have a total pricing picture.
More information is available on the following sites:
Madalene Hardy
Thought I’d throw in my experience. I’m just east of Newark, Delaware. I compared lots of rates. Saved roughly $50 a month. Allstate was the best choice for me. Did it all online.
Ruth Russell
Just a quick comment on my experience. I’m in Saint Louis, MO. Don’t remember every company but I ended up saving about $40 each month. I think they have home insurance too.
Dexter Moran
Found cheapest coverage with Auto-Owners for my LS and am saving around $230 a year. Was with Progressive.
Classie Shepard
Compared auto insurance prices with State Farm and Progressive but still not cheap enough.
Trenton Reed
Live in the southern part of Houston, TX and for me Allstate had the lowest quote. Insured with AIG Insurance before.
Tyrone Burks
Proud to be from Lexington, KY. Quoted quotes from Progressive, Hartford, and Eastwood for my LS and I’m now saving $59 a month. I have a teen driver too.
Telma Mcleod
Cheap is relative. I live in Las Vegas, NV. Quoted rates from 21st Century, Auto-Owners, Erie, and Hanover for my 2006 Lincoln LS and I’m now saving $44 a month. Teenage drivers are expensive!
Mable Evans
GEICO is pretty cheap in Delaware! :)
Eugene Doyle
I’m in the west part of Portland, OR. I got free quotes with American Family, Safeco, and a few others for my 2006 Lincoln LS and am saving around $280 a year.
Alba Leach
Does Allstate have good claim service?
Cristal Barton
I’m from Rutland, Vermont. Checked online prices for a 2006 Lincoln LS. Ended up at about $350 savings annually. Went with 21st Century. Left Encompass to switch. I have several vehicles insured with them. God forbid I actually have a claim.
Andree Conner
I’m from Allentown, PA. I don’t recall every quote but I ended up saving about $40 each month.
Rocio Hanson
Quoted with Esurance for my 2006 Lincoln LS and cut my rates about $400 a year. I’m a pretty good driver though.
Chelsey Christian
Lots of useful info here. I live just outside Greensboro, NC. Got quotes from AIG Insurance, Mercury, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my Lincoln and saved just over $140 a year. Highly recommended.
Cassaundra Figueroa
Proud to be from New York City, NY, and GEICO rates were best. I get lower rates because of my clean driving record. Just go online and compare their rates.