Overwhelmed by the wide range of car insurance options? You have a lot of company. Drivers have so many options available that it can be a challenge to find better rates.
Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise all available discounts very clearly, so we took the time to find both the well known and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using.
Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.
Car insurance companies that may offer these discounts include:
Double check with each company which discounts they offer. Discounts may not be available everywhere.
When buying the right insurance coverage, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.
Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine if your insurance needs may require specific advice.
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 want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can help you determine the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Medical expense insurance
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for short-term medical expenses for funeral costs, pain medications and nursing services. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Collision protection
Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims such as colliding with a tree, driving through your garage door and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. You can also bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Coverage for liability
Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people that is your fault. This coverage protects you from claims by other people. Liability doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000.
Liability insurance covers things such as emergency aid, funeral expenses and medical expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as large an amount as possible.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as falling objects, damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed and vandalism. The highest amount your insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Budget-conscious 2007 Saturn Aura insurance is possible from both online companies as well as from independent agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best chance of lowering rates. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. Too many times, someone dropped liability coverage limits and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your focus should be to find the BEST coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
Consumers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including delays in paying claims, high prices, denial of a claim or even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, finding a new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.