Did you fall for a flashy sales pitch and buy overpriced car insurance? Believe me when I say there are many consumers feeling the pinch from expensive car insurance.
Many car insurance companies vie for your business, so it can be very hard to choose a insurer and get the definite best rates possible.
There are several ways to compare car insurance quotes, and some are more efficient than others. You can waste hours talking about coverages with local insurance agents in your area, or you can stay home and use the web to get prices fast.
Most car insurance companies are enrolled in a marketplace that enables customers to send in one quote, and at least one company then returns a price quote for coverage. This saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions to each individual car insurance company.
To use this form to compare rates click here to open in new window.
The only downside to using this type of form is you can’t choose which providers you will receive quotes from. If you prefer to choose individual companies for rate comparison, we have assembled a list of the cheapest car insurance companies in your area. View list of insurance companies.
You can use whichever method you prefer to find lower rates, just do your best to enter nearly identical deductibles and coverage limits on every price quote you get. If you have different data it will be next to impossible to determine the best price for your BMW M6 Gran Coupe. Just a small difference in insurance coverages can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that comparing a large number of companies helps increase your odds of locating a lower rate than you’re paying now. Not every company allows you to get quotes online, so you also need to get price estimates from those companies as well.
When it comes to choosing the best insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you might need professional guidance.
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you then you might want to talk to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of insurance companies in your area.
Knowing the specifics of your car insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are the usual coverages found on the average car insurance policy.
Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for short-term medical expenses like chiropractic care, hospital visits, X-ray expenses and rehabilitation expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things such as colliding with a tree, crashing into a building, sustaining damage from a pot hole, hitting a mailbox and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to raise the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have policy limits of 100/300/100 that translate to $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.
Liability insurance covers claims such as structural damage, court costs, medical expenses, emergency aid and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as large an amount as possible.
This coverage pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims like theft, damage from getting keyed, vandalism and hitting a deer. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people have only the minimum liability required by law, it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Most of the time the UM/UIM limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.