Did you come to the realization that you have high-priced insurance coverage? It’s quite common and you’re not the only one. Insurance companies such as Geico, Progressive and Allstate all claim big savings, bombarding you with advertising and consumers find it hard to separate fact from fiction and do the work needed to find the best deal.
If you have a policy now or are shopping for new coverage, you can use this information to reduce the price you pay and possibly find even better coverage. Buying car insurance is not rocket science. Consumers only need to know the proper methods to shop online.
The best way we recommend to compare car insurance company rates is to understand almost all companies pay for the opportunity to provide you with a free rate quote. All consumers are required to do is provide a small amount of information like if the car is leased, how you use your vehicles, if you have a valid license, and the year, make and model of vehicles. Those rating factors is instantly provided to multiple car insurance providers and they respond with quotes instantly.
Car insurance is not cheap, but discounts can save money and there are some available to help offset the cost. Certain reductions will be credited when you complete an application, but once in a while a discount must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.
You can save money using discounts, but most discount credits are not given to all coverage premiums. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
Car insurance companies who might offer these money-saving discounts include:
Check with every company how many discounts you can get. Some discounts might not be offered on policies in your area. To view insurers that offer many of these discounts, click here to view.
When choosing adequate coverage, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Knowing the specifics of car insurance can be of help when determining the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are typical coverage types available from car insurance companies.
Collision insurance
This covers damage to your Avalon from colliding with another car or object. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for claims such as hitting a mailbox, backing into a parked car, scraping a guard rail and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. Another option is to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical expense coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for short-term medical expenses such as chiropractic care, X-ray expenses, nursing services and ambulance fees. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and also any damage incurred to your Toyota Avalon.
Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Usually the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Comprehensive protection
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from 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 pays for claims like fire damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and theft. The most a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Liability car insurance
This coverage protects you from damage that occurs to other’s property or people that is your fault. This coverage protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 100/300/100 which stand for a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Some companies may use a combined limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability insurance covers claims like funeral expenses, pain and suffering and medical services. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible.
Donte Rutledge
I was with GMAC last year but switched to GEICO. From northwest of San Jose, California. Left Esurance to switch. My new agent seems to be really good. :)
Lizzie Hawkins
Any GEICO or Erie customers near Milwaukee, WI?
Natalya Riddle
Not sure if this is cheap. I’m in Juneau, AK. Checked online prices for a 2017 Toyota Avalon. Ended up at about $480 savings annually. Went with 21st Century. I have a teen driver too. I got prices on the web.
Martha Guzman
I’m in the suburbs of Lincoln, NE. Quoted with Allstate, AIG Insurance, Erie, and The General for my Avalon and I’m now saving $31 a month. Left GEICO to switch. It never hurts to quote around.
Theresa Cotton
What is UM/UIM coverage?
Roselle Miles
From northwest of Bellevue, NE. I compared lots of rates. Saved right around $70 a month. 21st Century was the most affordable for me.
Ray Hamilton
Cheaper car insurance is a myth. From a town just southwest of Cranston, RI. Quoted with GMAC, American Family, MetLife, and a couple others for my Avalon and I’m now saving $35 a month. Teenage drivers are expensive! Not sure if rates are cheaper online or through an agent.
Melina Doyle
Just my two cents. I live just to the south of Aurora, Colorado. Quoted with Progressive, AIG Insurance, and Eastwood for my 2017 Toyota Avalon and saved $532 a year. Left Western Auto Insurance to switch. I have several vehicles insured with them. LOL
Isela Brown
I’m just south of Newark, New Jersey. Quoted with Western Auto Insurance, AAA, Hanover, and MetLife for my Toyota and saved about $510 a year. Left Allstate to switch. I increased coverages a little too.
Krishna Poole
If you have a clean record and live in the vicinity of Juneau, AK, check out 21st Century. You might save some money.
Tilda Patterson
Does 21st Century settle claims fairly?
Ona Warner
From Springfield, Missouri. Quoted prices online for a 2017 Toyota Avalon. Ended up at about $580 savings annually. Went with Allstate. Left Travelers to switch. I’m a pretty low risk driver. Highly recommended.
Tracee Rodgers
GEICO is cheapest in Illinois! :)
Marna Gardner
I chose to switch to State Farm from Amica. I live in Nampa, ID.