Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy an overpriced auto insurance policy? Believe me, you’re not alone. With consumers having so many companies to choose from, it can be impossible to pick the most affordable provider.
You should take the time to take a look at other company’s rates on a regular basis because prices change regularly. Even if you got the best deal for RX 330 coverage a few years ago the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. So just block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re going to learn one of the quickest ways to lower your annual insurance bill.
Comparing car insurance rates can be a lot of work if you don’t utilize the easiest way. You could spend your day driving to local insurance agents in your area, or you could save time and use the internet to accomplish the same thing much quicker.
Many insurance companies belong to an insurance system that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each participating company then gives them pricing based on that information. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests to every company. To participate in this free quote system, click to open in new window.
The only drawback to using this type of form is you can’t choose which insurance companies to receive prices from. If you wish to select individual companies to request quotes from, we have a page of companies who write car insurance in your area. Click to view list.
It’s up to you which method you use, but ensure you are comparing the exact same coverages and limits for every quote you compare. If you use differing limits you will not be able to determine which rate is truly the best.
Car insurance companies don’t always list every available discount very clearly, so we took the time to find some of the more common and the more hidden car insurance savings. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re just leaving money on the table.
Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to the entire policy premium. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
Car insurance companies that may offer these discounts may include but are not limited to:
Double check with every prospective company which discounts they offer. Savings may not apply in your state.
When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether you might need an agent’s assistance.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages for your vehicles. Car insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring. These are typical coverages available from car insurance companies.
Comprehensive coverage – This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hitting a bird, hail damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and theft. The maximum amount a car 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 it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision – Collision coverage covers damage to your RX 330 caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers claims such as damaging your car on a curb, hitting a parking meter and hitting a mailbox. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.
Coverage for liability – Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.
Liability coverage protects against things such as medical expenses, bail bonds and legal defense fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but consider buying as much as you can afford.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Lexus RX 330.
Due to the fact that 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 important protection for you and your family.
Medical payments coverage and PIP – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses for things like nursing services, X-ray expenses, prosthetic devices and pain medications. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage