Best Car Insurance 101
The problem with most auto insurance agents is that, after they earn your business, they become complacent. They think they have your business regardless of how well they treat you or look out for your financial interests because they think you’re too lazy to shop around and go anywhere else. These agents won’t offer you the best car insurance rates, or even insure you’re getting the best coverage for your rates.
Car insurance is a competitive industry – make your agent compete and work for your business. If he hasn’t contacted you in over a year to find offer some way you can reduce your current rates, there is always another car insurance company willing to go the extra mile to get your business and offer the best car insurance for your needs.
Understanding Your Car Insurance Coverage
The first step in getting the best car insurance rates is to understand your current coverage and the different types of car insurance. Your “dec sheet” is a one page document explaining your entire insurance policy, including coverage, limits, endorsements, premiums, and the details of your plan.
A simple review of this, along with using our online quotes search widget to find insurance companies in your area, will allow you to compare insurance companies, rates, plans, coverage, and make sure you are getting the best, cheap car insurance coverage. This act alone will also show your agent that you are serious about getting the best deal, and he may end up working hard to make sure you have the perfect plan for you and your family.
Comparison Shopping – It Really Helps Lower Rates
Now that you know what you have and how much you’re paying, you can begin to comparison shop. Use the internet to get free customized rate quotes, and also speak directly to at least five insurance agents from no less than three different companies. Hint that you are shopping to compare insurance companies and rates, and these agents will do all they can to find you the best car insurance rates available at the company.
The internet makes it even more competitive, as customers can get 5 quotes in under 5 minutes. By simply entering your zip code, you can pull multiple insurance companies to compare, and be able to negotiate with your potential insurance agent.
Determine The Right Coverage and Limits For You
Having too little coverage is the more common mistake, but having too much or the wrong kind of coverage can be almost as costly. For example, if your car is worth a few thousand dollars (under $5,000), you do not need to be paying for $25,000 in collision coverage. Your insurance company will not pay you $25,000 if your $3,000 car is totaled; they will only pay you the replacement value.
Car insurance is not designed to give you a huge payday, it is designed to “make you whole”, and protect you from financial disasters, meaning they will only pay out a maximum of $3,000 in the example above. However, in the meantime, your car insurance company will happily accept inflated premiums for $25,000 worth of collision coverage on your old car and not provide discount car insurance.
In fact, if your car is worth less than $3,000, you might consider canceling your collision or comprehensive coverage altogether. After all, the higher car insurance rates may not justify the benefit since you won’t be out much even if your car is totaled.
Car Insurance Quotes
Lastly, car insurance is a financial product – take it seriously. It can cause you great financial hardship mismanaging your auto insurance policy, or it can provide the peace of mind that you are protected when you most need it.
Do the research at MyCarInsuranceRates.com - compare the best car insurance companies, get online insurance quotes, and evaluate your coverage. It could seriously save you tens of thousands of dollars in the long term, and you’ll be happy you did in your time of need.
Enter your zip code to begin a car insurance quote now, and see how much you could be saving on your rates with the best car insurance.
