Are you at wits end from robbing Peter to pay Paul to make your auto insurance payment? Your situation is no different than many other consumers. Many car insurance companies vie for your hard-earned dollar, and it can be difficult to compare rates to find the absolute best price available.
If you have insurance now or are looking for a new policy, you can follow these tips to get lower rates while maximizing coverage. Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. Drivers just need to learn the tricks to get comparison quotes on the web.
Companies offering auto insurance don’t necessarily list every policy discount in an easy-to-find place, so we researched both the well known in addition to some of the lesser obvious discounts you could be receiving when you buy auto insurance online. If you check and find you aren’t receiving every discount available, you are paying more than you should be.
As a footnote on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. So even though you would think you could get a free car insurance policy, company stockholders wouldn’t be very happy.
A few of the larger companies and some of their more popular discounts are detailed below.
Check with each insurance company how you can save money. Depending on the company, some discounts may not apply to policies in every state. To view companies that offer the discounts shown above, follow this link.
Part of the car insurance buying process is learning some of the elements that aid in calculating the level of your policy premiums. If you have some idea of what influences your rates, this enables informed choices that could result in lower premium levels.
When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s so this has to be addressed. These are some specific questions may help highlight if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
Drivers can’t get away from ads that promise big savings by State Farm, Allstate and Geico. All the ads say the same thing of big savings if you get a free auto insurance quote and switch to them.
How do they all offer drivers better rates? It’s all in the wording.
Most companies give the cheapest rates for the type of driver that is profitable for them. A good example of a desirable risk might be described as over the age of 35, has no tickets, and the vehicle is rated for pleasure use. Someone that meets those criteria will get the preferred car insurance rates and will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Consumers who may not quite match this ideal profile may be forced to pay higher rates and the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The trick companies use is to say “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. This is how insurance companies can make claims like that. Because of this risk profiling, you absolutely need to compare as many free auto insurance quotes as you can. It is just not possible to predict which company will be your best fit.
Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on most car insurance policies.
Liability auto insurance
This coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability can pay for claims such as legal defense fees, attorney fees, medical expenses and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but buy as large an amount as possible.
Collision insurance
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage pays for claims like damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a building, hitting a parking meter, backing into a parked car and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for bills for hospital visits, surgery, funeral costs and nursing services. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers both the driver and occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as damage to your Kia Forte.
Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Comprehensive auto coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive can pay for things like rock chips in glass, falling objects, damage from flooding and vandalism. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s very important that you do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice collision coverage only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at the best possible price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Some insurance companies do not offer internet price quotes and many times these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents. Lower-priced 2014 Kia Forte insurance is available from both online companies and with local insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money.
More information can be found at these links:
Quinton Fisher
I chose to switch to 21st Century from Amica. I live in Kansas City, MO.
Jewel Mccoy
Hope my car insurance gets cheaper. I’m from Norman, OK. I got free quotes with Amica, Safeco, and a few others for my Kia and I’m now saving $57 a month. Was with Esurance. I increased coverages a little too.
Casandra Cooper
Any companies in Tampa, FL that will insure a DUI?
Lucila Rosales
Will 21st Century insure with a DUI in Boise, ID?
Deirdre Nicholson
What does medical payments cover?
Azucena Gutierrez
From south side of Biloxi, MS. Quoted quotes with Travelers, Amica, The General, and Safeco for my 2014 Kia Forte and I think I saved about $60 each month.
Doris Sweeney
If you have a good history and live near Buffalo, NY, check out State Farm. You might get cheaper rates. I’m a pretty good driver though. Can still barely afford it.
Suanne Brock
Got a quote with State Farm for my Kia and saved about $380 a year. Even increased coverage a bit. Hardly afford to drive anymore.
Adella Burns
From a town just southwest of Memphis, TN and for me 21st Century had the lowest quote.
Lala Moreno
Here’s my quote info. Got a quote with Eastwood for my Kia and saved about $270 a year. Left Farmers to switch.