Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, there are many consumers feeling the pinch from expensive car insurance. Drivers have multiple insurers to insure vehicles with, and although it’s nice to have a choice, so many choices can make it hard to adequately compare rates.
This information will tell you how car insurance quotes work and some tips to save money. If you have car insurance now, you will be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Drivers only need to know the tricks to compare price quotes online.
Finding a better price on insurance is actually quite simple. You just need to take the time to get quotes online with multiple companies. This can be accomplished using a couple different methods.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just compare the exact same coverage limits and deductibles for each comparison quote. If each company quotes mixed coverages it will be impossible to make an equal comparison.
Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for insurance. Understanding what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that could result in lower insurance prices.
The list below includes some of the factors used by your company to calculate premiums.
Car insurance is not cheap, but companies offer discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Certain discounts will be applied when you quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about prior to receiving the credit. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you are throwing money away.
Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will cut your premiums.
To see a list of insurers with the best auto insurance discounts, click here to view.
When choosing the best insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions can aid in determining if you will benefit from professional help.
If you’re not sure about those questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
Learning about specific coverages of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the usual coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as a tree branch falling on your vehicle, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed and fire damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Liability – This coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to people or other property in an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have values of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage pays for claims like pain and suffering, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, loss of income, emergency aid and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.
Medical expense insurance – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP provide coverage for bills for doctor visits, pain medications, rehabilitation expenses and ambulance fees. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision coverage – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage protects against claims like sideswiping another vehicle, rolling your car, backing into a parked car, colliding with another moving vehicle and driving through your garage door. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your 1998 Chevy S-10.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Cost effective 1998 Chevy S-10 insurance is attainable both online as well as from independent agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies don’t offer online price quotes and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.
When shopping online for insurance, it’s a bad idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.