Shopping For Auto Insurance
- Consider calling on the phone or visiting offices rather than getting quotes online.
- Write down the specifics of what you need before you shop for auto insurance.
- Talk to trusted resources before making a car insurance decision.
Shopping for car insurance can wring frustration from the most laid-back of minds, especially as you add new cars, spouses, teenage drivers and other factors to the mix. There are hundreds of options available when it comes to auto insurance, and finding the perfect price quote with the ideal coverage is not an insubstantial feat.
Create a Plan for Auto Insurance Shopping
When you first start shopping for automobile insurance, resist the urge to request quotes from every available source accurate at the get-go. How will you be able to evaluate car insurance premiums and coverage if you aren’t sure exactly what you want? A better solution is to first outline your needs, then go shopping for providers.
Write down the names of all the drivers who will be included in your auto insurance coverage, plus the makes, models, years and VIN numbers of each vehicle to include in the policy. Next to each of the cars, right down the level of coverage you will require: liability, comprehensive, personal injury protection, uninsured motorist, roadside assistance or collision.
You’ll also want to decide how much you are willing to pay as a deductible for each level of car insurance coverage. Most auto insurance companies offer several options for coverage limits and deductibles, so choose a level with which you will be comfortable.
Obtain Car Insurance Quotes
Most auto insurance companies allow you to request a quote online, but the estimate given might be completely accurate. A better solution is to call every company on the phone or visit a local office. This method, you’ll have personalized service and you can ask questions as you navigate the process.
When talking to automobile insurance companies on the phone or in person, acquire detailed notes on a laptop or pad of paper. Write down the levels of coverage available, the premiums for each, discounts available for your drivers and cars, and any perks offered by the car insurance provider. This will help with evaluation later.
Execute sure you ask each car insurance company about ways you can save money on your auto insurance premiums. Things like accident forgiveness, automobile safety features, loyalty incentives and more can shave valuable dollars from your total car insurance quote.
Compare and Contrast
The next part of shopping for car insurance is perhaps the most difficult. You’ve visited with lots of auto insurance company representatives and you’ve likely amassed a formidable stack of data to review. What you have to do now is compare and contrast all of the features, quotes and coverage levels from different providers.
Going with the least expensive auto insurance quote is often a mistake. Fair because a company offers a lower premium doesn’t mean you are receiving better value. For example, one company might issue a quote that is $30 higher than another, but offer a roadside assistance package or accident forgiveness policy that the other does not.
It is also essential to consider the types of vehicles included on your car insurance policy. An older car, for example, is probably not worth full insurance coverage because the money you will pay out in premiums exceeds the value of the car. Use the Kelly Blue Book to determine the values of each of your vehicles when deciding on a coverage level.
Seek Outside Sources
It isn’t always possible to form an informed decision about car insurance on your own. An auto insurance company might look great on paper, but offer terrible claims services. The best way to avoid this trapdoor is to seek outside sources for verification. Go to sources you trust to procure honest recommendations.
Erin Riches of Edmunds.com suggests you talk to your favorite body shop owner. Find out which automobile insurance companies they recommend, and what their customers have told them over the years. This is a great untapped resource that many consumers do not employ to their advantage.
Choosing auto insurance doesn’t have to be a painful process, but failing to do your research can mean paying too much for obnoxious service. Use all of the resources at your disposal and you can be confident in your decision.
Source:
Erin Riches, How to Choose the Right Insurance Company , Edmunds.com
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