Sick and tired of trying to scrape together enough money to buy car insurance? You are no different than most other car owners. Many car insurance companies compete for your hard-earned dollar, so it can be very hard to choose a insurer and uncover the absolute lowest rate possible.
Cutting your insurance coverage rates can be quick and easy. All that’s required is to take the time to get quotes provided by online insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.
One of the simplest ways to compare a lot of rates at once is an all-inclusive rate comparison like this one (opens in new window). This type of form prevents you from having to do repetitive form entry for each company. Just one form will get you price quotes from several companies.
A more difficult way to find lower rates requires you to visit the website of each company to complete their respective quote request forms. For instance, we’ll assume you want rates from USAA, Progressive and American Family. To get each rate you have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to insurance companies in your area, click here.
The hardest method of comparing rate quotes is driving around to local insurance agencies. Shopping for insurance coverage online makes this process obsolete unless you have a need for the professional guidance of a licensed agent. It is possible to find lower rates online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll touch on that later.
However you get your quotes, make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits for each comparison quote. If you have different liability limits it will be next to impossible to make an equal comparison.
Companies don’t always publicize all available discounts in an easy-to-find place, so here is a list some of the more common and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.
It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given the the whole policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
A partial list of companies who might offer these discounts include:
Before buying, ask each insurance company how you can save money. Savings may not be available in your state.
When it comes to buying the best car insurance coverage, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that For instance, these questions could help you determine whether or not you may require specific advice.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.
Understanding the coverages of your car insurance policy helps when choosing appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are the normal coverages found on the average car insurance policy.
Liability insurance
Liability insurance will cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property in an accident. It protects YOU against claims from other people. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as bail bonds, funeral expenses, repair costs for stationary objects and court costs. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but buy as much as you can afford.
Coverage for medical expenses
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses for nursing services, doctor visits, funeral costs and surgery. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive car insurance
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things like hail damage, fire damage, damage from getting keyed, theft and a broken windshield. The maximum amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family and damage to your Chrysler Town and Country.
Since many drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Collision coverage protection
This will pay to fix damage to your Town and Country from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision can pay for claims like crashing into a ditch, colliding with a tree and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from older vehicles. It’s also possible to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.