Have you fallen victim to an underperforming, overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, you’re not alone. Since drivers have many choices of insurance companies, it is very difficult to choose the lowest price auto insurance provider.
Buying car insurance is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using these tips. Drivers just need to know the most effective way to compare prices online.
Multiple criteria are part of the calculation when you quote your car insurance policy. Some of the criteria are obvious like an MVR report, although some other factors are not quite as obvious like where you live or your vehicle rating.Part of the auto insurance buying process is learning some of the factors that come into play when calculating your policy premiums. If you know what controls the rates you pay, this empowers consumers to make smart changes that can help you get cheaper rates.
There are several ways to compare auto insurance prices but there is one way that is more efficient than others. You can waste a lot of time discussing policy coverages with agents in your area, or you could use online quotes for quick rates.
The majority of car insurance companies belong to an insurance system where prospective buyers complete one form, and every company then gives them pricing based on that data. This eliminates the need for form submissions for every auto insurance company.
To find out how much you can save on auto insurance click here (opens in new window).
The one downside to pricing coverage this way is you don’t know exactly the insurers to receive prices from. So if you want to choose specific insurance companies to compare prices, we have a listing of companies who write auto insurance in your area. View list of insurance companies.
Whichever way you choose to compare rates, make sure you are using the same deductibles and coverage limits on every price quote you get. If your comparisons have different coverage information it will be next to impossible to get a fair rate comparison.
Consumers can’t ignore all the ads that claim the best premium rates from the likes of Allstate and Progressive. They all convey the message that people will save if you just switch your car insurance coverage to their company.
That’s great but how can every company sell you cheaper insurance coverage? It’s all in the words they use.
Different companies have strict underwriting profiles for the type of driver that will generate a profit. A good example of a preferred risk might have to be between the ages of 40 and 55, carries high limits, and drives less than 5,000 miles a year. A customer who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest prices and have a good chance to save a lot if they switch.
Consumers who don’t meet the ideal profile will be quoted higher prices and the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads say “drivers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save the amount stated. This is how insurance companies can lure you into getting a quote. Different companies use different criteria so you absolutely need to quote coverage with many companies. Because you never know which insurance companies will fit your personal profile best.
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always advertise every policy discount in a way that’s easy to find, so the next list breaks down a few of the more common as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using when you buy insurance coverage online.
As a sidenote, some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.
The best insurance coverage companies and a selection of discounts are shown below.
Before buying, ask all companies you are considering how many discounts you can get. All car insurance discounts may not apply to policyholders in your state.
When choosing the right insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance needs to address that. For example, these questions could help you determine whether or not you might need an agent’s assistance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
Knowing the specifics of a insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Below you’ll find the usual coverages found on the average insurance policy.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix 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 things like rock chips in glass, a broken windshield and hail damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision – Collision insurance pays for damage to your Impala resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against things such as crashing into a ditch, colliding with a tree and sustaining damage from a pot hole. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.
Auto liability – Liability coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property that is your fault. It protects YOU from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see values of 50/100/50 that translate to 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.
Liability can pay for things such as legal defense fees, medical services, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, court costs and loss of income. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but buy as high a limit as you can afford.
Insurance for medical payments – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for bills for nursing services, funeral costs, rehabilitation expenses, chiropractic care and hospital visits. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – This provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your 2014 Chevy Impala.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Some insurance companies don’t offer rate quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell coverage through independent insurance agents. Cheaper 2014 Chevy Impala insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from independent agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money.
As you quote insurance coverage, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There are many occasions where an insured dropped physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim that the few dollars in savings costed them thousands. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Much more information about car insurance is available below:
Kristin Bowen
Located in South Burlington, VT. Quoted quotes with GEICO, Auto-Owners, and some I forget for my Impala and I’m now saving $46 a month. I used their website to get prices.
Hermila Crawford
Proud to be from Warren, MI. Quoted with Amica, Esurance, and MetLife for my 2014 Chevrolet Impala and saved just over $210 a year. Left Mercury to switch. I have a couple other vehicles on the policy. Online quotes are the way to go.
Lizabeth Parks
I live west of West Valley City, UT, and Progressive rates were best. Was with GMAC.
Joel Blackburn
Cheap is relative. I’m in Rio Rancho, NM. Can’t remember who all I quoted but I ended up saving about $70 each month. Insured with Erie before. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate.
Germaine Booker
I live just to the north of Columbus, OH. Got quotes from GEICO, Hanover, and Erie for my 2014 Chevrolet Impala and I’m now saving $55 a month. I’m a pretty low risk driver. I just quoted rates online.
Micheal Rosales
I got a good deal I think. I live just to the west of Raleigh, NC. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved about $40 a month. 21st Century was the best choice for me. Teenage drivers are expensive! It never hurts to quote around.
Cristopher Winters
I live just to the north of Evansville, IN. I quoted with Allstate, Encompass, and The General for my Impala and saved just over $370 a year. I increased coverages a little too.
Yevette Montgomery
Affordable car insurance is a myth. Quoted with Erie for my Impala and saved around $430 a year. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or not.
Susan Holcomb
Any GEICO or Esurance customers near Aurora, Colorado?
Graciela Freeman
Here’s my quote info. I’m just east of Wilmington, Delaware. Quoted prices online for a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. Ended up at about $240 savings annually. Went with GEICO. Insured with State Farm before. Not sure if rates are cheaper online or not.