There isn’t a single person who rejoices having to buy auto insurance, especially when they know their premiums are too high. You have multiple insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and although it’s nice to have multiple companies, too many choices makes it more difficult to find the best rates.
Finding the best rates is not that difficult. If you have insurance now or need a new policy, you can learn to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Drivers just need to learn the best way to buy insurance online.
The easiest way to compare rates is to realize most insurance companies allow for online access to give rate comparisons. The only thing you need to do is give them rating details such as whether you have decent credit, how you use your vehicles, how old drivers are, and if the vehicle is leased. That rating information is submitted instantly to multiple different insurance companies and they respond with quotes very quickly.
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there may be some discounts that you may not even know about. A few discounts will automatically apply when you get a quote, but a few must be inquired about prior to receiving the credit. If you are not receiving all the discounts you qualify for, you could be getting lower rates.
As is typical with insurance, many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, insurance coverage companies aren’t that generous.
A partial list of companies that have some of the above discounts include:
If you are trying to find inexpensive car insurance quotes, ask each company or agent which discounts you may be entitled to. Some discounts listed above may not apply in your area. To view insurance coverage companies with the best discounts, click this link.
Lots of factors are used when you get your auto insurance bill. A few of the factors are predictable like an MVR report, but other criteria are more transparent like your continuous coverage or how safe your car is.Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that are used to determine the level of your policy premiums. When you understand what influences your rates, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that could help you find big savings.
When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions could help you determine if your insurance needs might need an agent’s assistance.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.
Consumers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings for switching by Allstate and Progressive. They all convey the message about how much you will save just by switching to their company.
How does every company say the same thing? It’s all in how they say it.
Companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 45, has no prior claims, and drives less than 5,000 miles a year. Any customer that meets those criteria will most likely get cheap prices and therefore will save when they switch companies.
Potential insureds who do not match these stringent criteria will probably have to pay higher prices and this results in business not being written. If you pay attention, the ads say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” can save as much as they claim. That’s why companies can make claims that they all have the best auto insurance rates. This really emphasizes why it’s extremely important to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know with any certainty which company will fit you best based on your risk profile.
Understanding the coverages of insurance can help you determine appropriate coverage for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average insurance policy.
This will pay to fix damage to your GS 450h from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for claims such as sideswiping another vehicle, rolling your car and driving through your garage door. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Liability coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for things like attorney fees, medical services, bail bonds and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford.
This covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as fire damage, vandalism and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses like EMT expenses, X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses, nursing services and chiropractic care. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Cheaper auto insurance can be sourced from both online companies as well as from insurance agents, so you need to quote car insurance with both to get a complete price analysis. Some companies may not provide rate quotes online and usually these smaller providers sell through independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are many occasions where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits and learned later that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to find the BEST coverage at the best price but still have enough coverage for asset protection.
Arleen Daniel
Thanks for putting this site together. Located in San Antonio, Texas. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $50 each month. I have a teen driver too.
Domenica Salazar
Live in the southern part of Kansas City, KS. Quoted with Travelers, AAA, The General, and Safeco for my Lexus and saved $399 a year. Insured with Nationwide before. I have kids on my policy, too. Not sure about claim service.
Emmie Mcfarland
Thanks for putting this site together. Live in Portland, Maine. Got car insurance prices from Progressive, Amica, Esurance, and The General for my 2010 Lexus GS 450h and saved just over $290 a year. I’m a pretty low risk driver.
Orlando Mathis
I’m looking for cheaper coverage. I’m in Idaho Falls, ID. I quoted with Allstate, Erie, and Hanover for my GS 450h and saved $327 a year. Was with Progressive. Teenage drivers are expensive! Can still barely afford it.
Davida Kaufman
Liked the article. I’m just west of Eugene, OR. I quoted with AAA, Safeco, and Western Auto Insurance for my Lexus and saved just over $370 a year. Even increased my liability limits.
Mckenzie Cochran
I’ve had GEICO for years. I’m in Madison, WI.
Genaro Stevenson
It’s all a rip off. Found cheapest coverage with Amica for my GS 450h and am saving around $160 a year. Not sure about claim service.
Eugene Vargas
I live on the north side of Aurora, CO. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved roughly $40 a month. Allstate was the cheapest for me. My new agent seems to be really good.
Ranae Garza
Will 21st Century be cheaper if I raise deductibles?
Collene Davidson
I switched to State Farm. Quoted good rates in North Charleston, South Carolina. Was with Eastwood. BTW speeding tickets are not good. Highly recommended.
Merrill Morrow
Thanks for putting this site together. I’m in the east part of Columbus, Georgia. Got quotes from AIG Insurance, Nationwide, and a few others for my 2010 Lexus GS 450h and I’m now saving $60 a month. Was with MetLife. Thankfully I have a good driving record. Did it all online.
Donnell Dillon
Any claims experience with Allstate in South Burlington, VT?
Natividad Bray
Not sure what I should be paying. I live on the west side of Grand Forks, ND. Quoted a bunch of companies. Saved roughly $70 a month. State Farm was the cheapest for me.
Johnetta Irwin
What exactly does liability cover?
Teofila Vargas
Got pretty cheap 2010 Lexus GS 450h insurance from 21st Century in Hilo, HI.
Nobuko Fletcher
If you’re a decent driver and live near Idaho Falls, ID, check out Progressive. They seem to be cheaper. Insured with Hanover before. Good savings if you bundle.
Portia Blackwell
Affordable car insurance is a myth. I live just outside Mobile, AL. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $20 each month. I got a quote from their website.