Comparison shopping for car insurance can be challenging for beginners to shopping for insurance online. Drivers have so many choices that it can turn into a ton of work to find lower rates.
The quickest method to get rate comparisons is to know the fact most larger insurance companies participate in online systems to provide you with free rate quotes. The one thing you need to do is give the companies some data like which vehicles you own, the ages of drivers, if you have a valid license, and types of safety features. That rating information is sent automatically to many highly-rated insurers and they return quotes instantly.
To compare multiple company rates now, click here and see if a lower rate is available.
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but you may find discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you complete an application, but some must be specifically requested before you will receive the discount.
As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won’t be that lucky. But all discounts will help reduce the cost of coverage.
For a list of insurers offering insurance discounts, follow this link.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s needs are different.
Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form.
Knowing the specifics of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This coverage pays for 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 insurance covers claims like hail damage, hitting a bird and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most your car insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Auto liability insurance
This coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. It protects you from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show values of 100/300/100 which means a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability insurance covers claims like attorney fees, legal defense fees and medical expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but you should buy higher limits if possible.
Medical expense insurance
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for bills such as EMT expenses, doctor visits, funeral costs and prosthetic devices. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers both the driver and occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Collision protection
This pays for damage to your Edge caused by collision with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for things such as hitting a parking meter, sideswiping another vehicle, colliding with a tree and colliding with another moving vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Ford Edge.
Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits, their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.