There isn’t a single person who loves paying for auto insurance, especially knowing they could lower their rates if they shopped around.
Companies like Geico, Progressive and Allstate promote their brand names with catchy ads and it can be hard to see through the deception and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
The easiest way to compare rates is to understand car insurance companies participate in online systems to compare their rates. To start a quote, the only thing you need to do is spend a couple of minutes providing details such as if a SR-22 is needed, what you do for a living, if you lease or own, and whether you drive to work or school. Your rating data is automatically sent to multiple different insurance companies and they return quotes within a short period of time.
Companies offering auto insurance don’t list their entire list of discounts very clearly, so we researched both the well known and also the lesser-known ways to save on car insurance.
It’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. If you do the math and it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies don’t profit that way.
A list of companies and a partial list of their discounts are detailed below.
When comparing rates, check with each company which discounts they offer. Depending on the company, some discounts might not be available to policyholders in your state. To view companies with the best discounts, click here to view.
When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Each situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions may help highlight if your insurance needs might need professional guidance.
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Well-known auto insurance companies like Progressive, Allstate and Geico seem to constantly run ads on television and other media. They all seem to try to convey promises about how much you will save after switching to them. How can each company charge lower premium rates?
All the different companies are able to cherry pick for a prospective insured that will not have excessive claims. An example of a desirable risk could be between 30 and 50, has had continuous coverage, and has a short commute. Any driver who fits those characteristics gets the lowest prices and will also cut their rates substantially.
Drivers who do not fit these stringent criteria may receive higher rates and ends up with the customer buying from a different company. The ads say “people who switch” not “all people who quote” save that much when switching. That is how insurance companies can confidently make claims like that. Because every company is different, it is so important to do a price quote comparison at every renewal. Because you never know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Having a good grasp of a insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are typical coverage types available from insurance companies.
Collision insurance
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with another car or object. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for claims like damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a ditch and scraping a guard rail. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
This gives you protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as hail damage, rock chips in glass, damage from flooding and damage from getting keyed. The most a insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Coverage for liability
Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people that is your fault. It protects you from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers claims like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, repair costs for stationary objects, funeral expenses, structural damage and attorney fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as high a limit as you can afford.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP pay for expenses such as nursing services, doctor visits, rehabilitation expenses, chiropractic care and dental work. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The goal is to buy the best coverage you can find at the best possible price, but do not sacrifice coverage to save money.
Budget-friendly insurance coverage is definitely available from both online companies as well as from independent agents, and you should compare rates from both to have the best selection. Some companies may not offer online price quotes and these regional insurance providers work with independent insurance agencies.
Rosalinda Morales
Affordable car insurance is a myth. I live just outside Billings, MT. Checked online prices for a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Ended up at about $120 savings annually. Went with GEICO. Switched homeowners coverage too. I used their website to get prices. My Intrigue doesn’t have full coverage.
Emerson Calderon
I found pretty cheap rate quotes for a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue in Cincinnati, OH. Ended up at right around $70 every six months with Amica. My new agent seems to be really good. Get lots of quotes to find the best rate. My Intrigue doesn’t have full coverage.
Royce Murray
State Farm was cheapest for my 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue in Charlotte, NC.
Fanny Sanchez
Lots of good stuff here. Live in the northern part of Seattle, Washington. Compared quite a few companies. Saved about $20 a month. Progressive was the most affordable for me. Good savings if you bundle.
Twila Chan
I got decent rates for a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue in Tucson, Arizona. Ended up at darn near $100 every six months with American Family. Got better coverage too. I think I’ll get rid of full coverage next time.
Francina Gordon
Cheapest quote for my 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue was with Encompass. They have a lot of discounts available. Bought it from an online quote. Next renewal I’ll just do liability.
Nicholas Velez
I’m just south of Saint Paul, MN. I quoted with Auto-Owners, Safeco, and some smaller one I can’t remember the name of for my 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue and saved about $80 a year. I get multi-vehicle and multi-policy discounts. It was easy to get rates. Not worth enough to pay for comprehensive and collision.
Rubie Osborne
Here’s my info. Located in Anchorage, AK. Compared rates from a lot of places. Saved right around $20 a month. GEICO was the cheapest option for me. A clean driving record helps.
Britt Dawson
Anyone try to read their policy?
Carlota Reynolds
21st Century was cheapest for my 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue in Chicago, Illinois.
Trenton Aguilar
What is UM/UIM coverage?
Elvis Pena
Great info, thanks for posting. Checking in from Nashua, NH. Checked online prices for a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Ended up at about $70 savings annually. Went with Progressive.
Coleman Guerra
I’ve insured with State Farm for a long time. Pretty cheap in Montgomery, AL.