Being forced to pay for high-priced insurance premiums can empty your bank account and force you to cut corners elsewhere. Doing a price comparison is a fast and free way to ensure you are getting the best deal.
Companies like State Farm, Farmers Insurance, Geico and Allstate constantly bombard you with catchy ads and it is difficult to see through the cute green geckos and mayhem and take the time to shop coverage around.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Finding the best rates is not that difficult. Although consumers can benefit by having an understanding of how companies compete online because it can help you find the best coverage.
The best way we recommend to compare policy rates takes advantage of the fact most of the larger companies participate in online systems to give rate comparisons. All you need to do is provide details such as marital status, daily mileage, if your license is active, and the type of vehicles you drive. Your rating data gets transmitted to multiple auto insurance providers and you get price estimates immediately.
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there may be some discounts to help bring down the price. Many of these discounts will be applied automatically at the time of purchase, but once in a while a discount must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.
As is typical with insurance, most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though the math looks like you could get a free car insurance policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
A list of car insurance companies and a partial list of their discounts can be found below.
It’s a good idea to ask every insurance company which discounts can lower your rates. Some discounts listed above may not apply in your area. If you would like to view providers with discount rates, follow this link.
When it comes to choosing adequate coverage, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your situation may require specific advice.
If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider 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.
Learning about specific coverages of auto insurance aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. These are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.
Comprehensive coverages
This will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like hail damage, rock chips in glass, falling objects, damage from getting keyed and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision protection
This coverage pays for damage to your Trooper resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for claims like damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door, rolling your car and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability
This coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to other people or property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see liability limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL that pays claims from the same limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage pays for things like pain and suffering, bail bonds, legal defense fees, emergency aid 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.
Coverage for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for expenses such as EMT expenses, funeral costs, surgery, X-ray expenses and hospital visits. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your Isuzu Trooper.
Because many people only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Chantel Delacruz
Cheap is not always the best policy. Went with Mercury for my Trooper and saved around $110 a year. Thankfully I’m not a high risk driver. Online quotes are the way to go.
Truman Ramos
I live just to the north of Saint Paul, MN. Quoted rates from AAA, MetLife, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my Trooper and I’m now saving $17 a month. Insured with Encompass before. I’m a pretty good driver though. Wish I didn’t have to insure at all.
Normand Barlow
In Springfield, MO, Progressive is a good choice. Even increased my liability limits.
Sharyn Sampson
Lifelong resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. Received quotes from Progressive, Encompass, and The General for my Trooper and saved just over $90 a year. :)
Sharilyn Cantrell
Thanks for putting this site together. Quoted with Hanover for my 1992 Isuzu Trooper and am saving around $90 a year. Left Esurance to switch. I recommend comparing lots of rates.
Minh Jackson
Got a quote with 21st Century for my Isuzu and saved about $100 a year. I increased coverages a little too. I used their online quote form to compare rates. I don’t have comp or collision coverage.
Rosalina Wyatt
Good site, thanks. I’m in the north part of Montgomery, Alabama. Received prices from USAA, AAA, Hartford, and MetLife for my Trooper and I think I am saving around $10 each month. It’s only liability tho.