Are you sick and tired of being strong-armed to insure your Chrysler every month? Your situation is no different than many other vehicle owners. There are many auto insurance companies to choose from, and although it’s a good thing to have a choice, lots of choices makes it harder to compare company pricing.
Consumers need to check insurance prices before your next renewal due to the fact that insurance prices change frequently. Even if you think you had the best rates for 200 coverage on your last policy you will most likely find a better premium rate today. Block out anything you think you know about insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in the right way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.
Finding low cost auto insurance rates can be quick and easy. The only requirement is to spend a little time comparing rates from some recommended companies. This can be accomplished by using one of the methods below.
Hands down the most simple method to find the lowest comparison rates would be an industry-wide quote request form click to view form in new window. This easy form eliminates the need for repetitive form submissions for every auto insurance company. One form submission compares rates instantly.
A different way to obtain and compare quotes online is to manually visit each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want to see prices from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and Geico. You would be required to navigate to each company’s site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make sure you are using exactly the same coverages and limits on every price quote you get. If each company quotes unequal deductibles or liability limits you will not be able to decipher which rate is best.
Insurance coverage is neither fun to buy or cheap, but you may qualify for discounts that you may not even know about. Some discounts will apply when you quote, but occassionally some discounts must be specially asked for before they will apply. If you are not receiving all the discounts you deserve, you are throwing money away.
A little disclaimer on discounts, most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it appears you can get free auto insurance, you won’t be that lucky.
For a list of companies that offer many of these discounts, click this link.
Part of the insurance buying process is learning some of the things that go into determining your policy premiums. If you know what determines base rates, this allows you to make educated decisions that could help you find better insurance rates.
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions may help you determine whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of insurance coverage companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
Consumers can’t get away from ads that claim the best rates from the likes of State Farm, Geico and Progressive. They all seem to make the point about savings if you just switch to their company.
But how can every company charge less that you’re paying now? This is the trick they use.
Different companies have specific criteria for the type of insured that makes them money. A good example of a driver they prefer could possibly be a mature driver, has no prior claims, and has great credit. Any new insured that fits those parameters receives the best car insurance rates and most likely will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Potential insureds who fall short of this ideal profile will get a higher rate with the end result being business going elsewhere. If you listen closely, the ads state “customers who switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” will save that much if they switch. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.
This really drives home the point why drivers must compare rate quotes every year. It’s not possible to predict which auto insurance company will give you the biggest savings.
Learning about specific coverages of a car insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverage types available from car insurance companies.
Coverage for liability – Liability coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to people or other property. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 that translate to a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is a combined limit which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability insurance covers things like loss of income, bail bonds, legal defense fees and medical expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as much as you can afford.
Collision coverage – This coverage covers damage to your 200 from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage pays for things like colliding with another moving vehicle, sideswiping another vehicle and hitting a parking meter. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Chrysler 200.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like hail damage, damage from getting keyed, hitting a bird and vandalism. The maximum payout your car insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Medical expense insurance – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for immediate expenses like nursing services, hospital visits, surgery and EMT expenses. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. It covers all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Cheaper insurance coverage can be bought online and with local insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance coverage companies may not provide rates over the internet and many times these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, make sure you don’t reduce coverage to reduce premium. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced liability limits or collision coverage and found out when filing a claim they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your objective should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Additional detailed information can be found at these sites:
Akiko Crosby
I’m from Warwick, RI. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved roughly $20 a month. Progressive was the cheapest option for me. Just go online and compare their rates. It’s too old for full coverage.
Herbert Daniels
If you’re a decent driver and live around Frederick, MD, check out Progressive. I saved quite a bit. Was with Eastwood. It was easy to get rates. I dropped full coverage awhile back.
Tai Combs
Hope my rates come down. I live just outside Dallas, Texas. Quoted with Western Auto Insurance, AAA, Liberty Mutual, and Nationwide for my 200 and saved just over $60 a year. Was with Progressive. Have a couple speeding tickets too. I recommend comparing lots of rates.
Valeria Holden
I got decent rates for a 200 in Saint Louis, MO. Ended up at roughly $110 every six months with AAA. Can still barely afford it. I don’t have comp or collision coverage.
Anisa Griffin
Lifelong resident of New York City, NY, and Progressive rates were best.
Shirly Little
Will Allstate raise rates if I file a claim?
Angeline Thornton
Great site. Checking in from Detroit, Michigan. I got free quotes with The General, Auto-Owners, Sentry, and a couple others for my 200 and am saving around $100 a year. I get a discount for insuring multiple vehicles. Only insure liability on my 2011 Chrysler 200.
Paola Golden
From a town just southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota. Got prices from The General, American Family, MetLife, and a couple others for my 200 and cut my rates about $70 a year. Switched homeowners coverage too. :P
Joye Slater
Here’s my quote info. Live in Las Cruces, NM. Went online for free insurance quotes for a 200. Ended up at about $90 savings annually. Went with State Farm. Good savings if you bundle. I used their website to get prices.