Feel like you’re a prisoner to an overpriced auto insurance policy? Trust us when we tell you you’re not the only one.
Online insurance companies like Progressive, Geico and Farmers Insurance all claim big savings, bombarding you with ad campaigns and consumers find it hard to separate fact from fiction and do the work needed to find the best deal.
Smart consumers take time to do rate comparisons at least once a year because insurance rates tend to go up over time. Even if you got the best price for ActiveHybrid 5 coverage two years ago you can probably find a better price now. So block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in how to use online quotes to find better rates and still maintain coverage.
If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Finding the best rates is not rocket science. Although vehicle owners must know the way companies compete online and take advantage of how the system works.
The are a couple different ways of comparing rates from insurance companies in your area. The fastest way to compare 2015 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 insurance prices involves getting comparison quotes online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.
Which method you use is up to you, but ensure you are comparing the exact same information on every quote. If you use unequal deductibles or liability limits it will be next to impossible to find the best deal for your BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits may result in a large different in cost. It’s important to know that having more price comparisons provides better odds of finding a lower rate.
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but you may find discounts to reduce the price significantly. Most are applied at the time you complete a quote, but a few need to be inquired about before they will apply.
It’s important to understand that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your overall premium however.
A partial list of companies that possibly offer these money-saving discounts include:
Before buying, ask each company how you can save money. All car insurance discounts might not apply everywhere.
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if you would benefit from professional advice.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Having a good grasp of a insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Insurance terms can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Shown next are typical coverage types found on most insurance policies.
Coverage for medical expenses – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for expenses for chiropractic care, ambulance fees and nursing services. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – This provides protection when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Auto liability insurance – This will cover damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people that is your fault. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. 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. As an example, you may have liability limits of 100/300/100 which stand for a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability insurance covers things such as legal defense fees, medical expenses and court costs. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible.
Collision coverage – Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your ActiveHybrid 5 from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for claims such as backing into a parked car, damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a ditch and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Comprehensive insurance – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. 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 damage from flooding, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, vandalism and fire damage. The maximum payout 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.