I doubt anyone rejoices having to buy car insurance, especially knowing they could find lower prices if they just compared rates. There is such a variety of insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and though it is a good thing to have multiple companies, more options can take longer to adequately compare rates.
You should take the time to quote other rates quite often because prices are usually higher with each renewal. Even if you think you had the best price on Aveo insurance a year ago other companies may now be cheaper. There is a lot of bad advice regarding car insurance out there, but in this article, you’re going to get the easiest ways to lower your car insurance bill.
Locating the best protection can be fairly easy. Essentially anyone who carries car insurance should be able to lower their premiums. But consumers should learn how insurance companies market on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.
Cheap car insurance price quotes
There are several ways to get quotes from lots of car insurance companies. The best method to compare rates consists of shopping online. It’s really quite simple and can be done in a couple minutes as outlined below.
The most recommended method to get the best comparison quotes is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This style of form eliminates the need for multiple quote forms for each price estimate. One simple form gets prices estimates from all major companies.
A less efficient way to analyze rates requires a visit to each individual company website and repeat the quote process again and again. For example, let’s say you want to view quotes from USAA, State Farm and Farmers. You would be required to go to every website to enter your coverage information, which explains why we recommend starting with the first method. To view a list of companies in your area, click here.
The last method of getting rate comparisons is calling or driving to local insurance agencies. Quoting online eliminates this option unless you require the extra assistance of a local agent. You can, however, comparison shop online but have your policy serviced through an agent.
Whichever way you use, be sure you’re using identical coverage limits and deductibles for each comparison quote. If you enter higher or lower deductibles it’s impossible to find the best deal for your Chevy Aveo. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits could mean much higher rates. It’s important to know that comparing more company’s prices will enable you to find better pricing. Not every company provides quotes online, so you should also compare rates from those companies as well.
Shop online but buy locally
Certain consumers prefer to have an agent’s advice and that is recommended in a lot of cases One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is that drivers can save money and get better rates and still buy from a local agent. Supporting local agencies is definitely important in smaller communities.
By using this quick form, the coverage information is transmitted to participating agents who want to provide quotes for your coverage. It makes it easy because there is no need to search for an agent since rate quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. You can most likely find cheaper rates AND a local agent. If you have a need to compare rates from a specific insurance company, you would need to visit that company’s website and complete a quote there.
Pick the best car insurance agent for you
When searching for local agents, it’s important to understand the different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. agents can be classified as either independent agents or captive agents.
Independent Car Insurance Agents
Independent agencies often have affiliation with several companies and that enables them to quote your coverage through lots of different companies and find you cheaper rates. If premiums increase, they simply switch companies in-house and you stay with the same agent. When comparison shopping, you should always check rates from a few independent agents for the best price selection.
Captive Car Insurance Agencies
Captive agents have only one company to place business with such as State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents are usually well trained in insurance sales and that allows them to sell at a higher price point.
To help find insurance agents near you, click to find a good insurance agent.
Finding a good insurance agent should depend on more than just the quoted price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- Which family members are covered?
- Can glass claims be handled at your home?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Which companies do they recommend if they are an independent agency?
- Does the agency have a positive business rating?
- Does the agent have a valid license to sell insurance in your state?
After getting answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask as well as quotes, you may have found an insurance agent that can be relied on to service your policy. Just be aware that it’s your policy and you can terminate coverage whenever you want so don’t think you’re contractually obligated to a specific agent for the full term.
Car insurance coverages 101
Having a good grasp of a car insurance policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Listed below are the normal coverages found on the average car insurance policy.
Insurance for medical payments
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses like X-ray expenses, surgery and nursing services. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as damage to your Chevy Aveo.
Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally these limits do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Liability car insurance
Liability insurance provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show liability limits of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Another option is one limit called combined single limit (CSL) that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability can pay for things such as structural damage, emergency aid, funeral expenses and legal defense fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like hitting a deer, damage from flooding, vandalism, hitting a bird and theft. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Coverage for collisions
This coverage will pay to fix damage to your Aveo from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for things like backing into a parked car, damaging your car on a curb, rolling your car, colliding with another moving vehicle and scraping a guard rail. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
