Are you sick and tired of scraping the payment together to buy car insurance? You are no different than most other car owners. Insurance companies such as Progressive, State Farm and Geico all claim big savings with fancy advertisements and it is difficult to avoid their marketing magic and take the time to shop coverage around.
If you have a policy now or need a new policy, you will benefit by learning to find better prices while maintaining coverages. Buying car insurance is not rocket science. Drivers only need an understanding of the tricks to shop online.
It’s important that you understand the factors that play a part in calculating your insurance coverage rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that will entitle you to better insurance coverage rates.
Shown below are some of the items used by your company to calculate prices.
The most recommended method to get rate comparisons is to take advantage of the fact most of the bigger providers actually pay money for the chance to give free rates quotes. To get started, all you need to do is spend a couple of minutes providing details including how many miles driven, your education level, if a SR-22 is required, and whether you are married. That information is submitted instantly to insurance carriers in your area and you will get price comparisons with very little delay.
Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance by companies like Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings after switching to them.
How does each company claim to save you money?
Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of customer that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer could be between the ages of 40 and 55, has no driving citations, and has excellent credit. A customer who meets those qualifications is entitled to the best price and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.
Potential insureds who do not match these standards will be quoted a more expensive rate and this can result in business going elsewhere. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. That’s why companies can state the savings.
This emphasizes why you absolutely need to compare many company’s rates. You cannot predict which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest Kia Sephia insurance rates.
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available that many people don’t even know exist. Certain discounts will be applied when you purchase, but less common discounts must be asked for before you get the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you are paying more than you should be.
Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to all coverage premiums. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like you could get a free insurance coverage policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts will bring down your premiums.
Companies that possibly offer these discounts are:
It’s a good idea to ask each insurance company how you can save money. Some discounts might not apply everywhere.
When choosing proper insurance coverage, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different and your policy should reflect that. For instance, these questions could help you determine whether you might need professional guidance.
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage for your vehicles. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Below you’ll find typical coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Coverage for medical payments
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses for things like prosthetic devices, rehabilitation expenses, nursing services, dental work and surgery. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Auto liability
This protects you from damage or injury you incur to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Alternatively, you may have one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage pays for claims like legal defense fees, bail bonds and funeral expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase higher limits if possible.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
This provides protection from other motorists when they 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.
Due to the fact that many drivers 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 is important protection for you and your family. Frequently these limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Comprehensive coverages
This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers things like damage from flooding, hitting a deer and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision insurance
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers things like rolling your car, crashing into a building, sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to bring the cost down.
We just covered some good ideas how to lower your 1997 Kia Sephia insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Drivers may discover the best prices are with a smaller regional carrier. These smaller insurers may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than their larger competitors like Geico and State Farm.
Cheaper insurance can be purchased online and with local insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. A few companies do not offer online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.
Much more information about car insurance is located below: