Nobody I know looks forward to buying car insurance, in particular when the cost is too high.
Companies like GEICO, Farmers Insurance and State Farm increase brand awareness with advertising and it can be hard to ignore the promise of big savings and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to save some money using these techniques. Finding affordable coverage is not rocket science. But vehicle owners need to have an understanding of the way companies market insurance on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.
The best way we recommend to compare car insurance rates takes advantage of the fact most larger insurance companies provide online access to give free rates quotes. To begin a comparison, all you need to do is provide a little information like if a SR-22 is needed, the type of vehicles you drive, if you lease or own, and how many miles driven. Your details is then submitted to multiple different insurance companies and you will get price comparisons very quickly.
When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance should reflect that Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if your situation might need an agent’s assistance.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Understanding the coverages of your insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are the normal coverages available from insurance companies.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like theft, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your 1992 Isuzu Amigo.
Since many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Medical expense insurance
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance reimburse you for expenses like pain medications, X-ray expenses and nursing services. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover both the driver and occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision insurance
This will pay to fix damage to your Amigo from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for claims like crashing into a ditch, sideswiping another vehicle and crashing into a building. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance will cover damage that occurs to a person or their property. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000.
Liability insurance covers things like funeral expenses, emergency aid, structural damage, pain and suffering and attorney fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as much as you can afford.