Are you a victim of an underperforming, overpriced insurance policy? Trust us, you’re not the only one. You have so many auto insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and although it’s nice to have a choice, lots of choices makes it harder to find the lowest rates.
Companies that sell car insurance don’t always publicize all available discounts very clearly, so we break down both well-publicized and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all the discounts add up to a free policy, you’re out of luck.
For a list of insurers who offer auto insurance discounts, follow this link.
When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Each situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that might point out whether or not you will benefit from professional help.
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.
Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from the likes of State Farm, GEICO and Progressive. They all have a common claim that you’ll save big if you change your coverage to them.
How does each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.
All companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as a mature driver, a clean driving record, and has great credit. Any new insured who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.
Drivers who are not a match for these standards must pay higher rates and this can result in business not being written. The ads say “customers that switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. That’s the way companies can truthfully claim big savings. This illustrates why drivers should get quotes from several different companies. It’s impossible to know which company will give you the biggest savings on Chevy Malibu insurance.
Having a good grasp of your auto insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Below you’ll find typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.
This coverage pays for damage to your Malibu resulting from a collision with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision can pay for things like hitting a parking meter, sideswiping another vehicle and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive insurance coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against things such as falling objects, damage from getting keyed, damage from flooding, vandalism and hitting a bird. The maximum amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage kick in for bills for things like doctor visits, nursing services, prosthetic devices, ambulance fees and hospital visits. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
This coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many drivers have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
This will cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see liability limits of 50/100/50 which stand for a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for claims such as structural damage, funeral expenses, court costs and medical services. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Cost effective 2012 Chevy Malibu insurance can be sourced on the web as well as from independent agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies don’t offer online quoting and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.
When trying to cut insurance costs, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice liability coverage limits and found out when filing a claim that it was a big error on their part. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.