Nobody likes having to buy car insurance, particularly when they are paying too much.
Big companies like GEICO, 21st Century and Progressive all promote huge savings with ads and it is difficult to see through the cute green geckos and mayhem and take the time to shop coverage around.
Discounts can save BIG
Car insurance companies don’t always list all available discounts very well, so we took the time to find some of the more common and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.
- Student in College – Any of your kids living away from home attending college and don’t have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
- 55 and Retired – Mature drivers may be able to get reduced rates for 500c coverage.
- Paperless Signup – A few companies give back up to $50 simply for signing online.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could be rewarded with discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Sign Early and Save – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. It can save you around 10%.
- Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
- Drivers Education – Cut your cost by having your teen driver enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.
To choose companies who offer car insurance discounts, follow this link.
Are insurance agents obsolete?
Certain consumers just want to visit with an insurance agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The best thing about comparing rates online is you can get the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this quick form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will battle to get your business. You won’t need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. It’s the lowest rates AND an agent nearby.
Choosing an insurer shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- How long has their agency been open?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
Do you need an independent or captive insurance agent?
When researching a good insurance agent, there are two different agency structures that you can select. Insurance agencies are either independent or captive.
Agency Captives
This type of agents work for only one company and examples are Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot compare other company’s rates so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captives are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage.
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, you should always include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison.
For a full directory of agencies, click here.
Once you have received good answers to your questions and a good coverage price, you may have just found an insurance agent that will properly insure your vehicles. But remember, once you purchase a policy you can cancel your coverage any time you want so don’t think that you’re stuck with the car insurance policy for any length of time.
Do you really save 40% when you switch?
Car insurance providers like 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. They all make the same claim that you can save if you switch your coverage to them. How do they all claim to save you money? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver they prefer to insure. For example, a profitable customer might be over the age of 40, has no prior claims, and has excellent credit. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.
Consumers who do not match this ideal profile will be charged a more expensive rate and this can result in the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “customers that switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. That is how companies can truthfully claim big savings. That is why drivers should get as many quotes as possible. You cannot predict which car insurance company will give you the biggest savings.
Will just any policy work for me?
When buying proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there is no best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions might help in determining whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.
- Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
- Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
- Is borrowed equipment or tools covered if stolen or damaged?
- Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Car insurance coverages for a Fiat 500c
Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. These are typical coverage types available from car insurance companies.
Liability insurance
Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to other’s property or people that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy 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 a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability can pay for claims such as attorney fees, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy higher limits if possible.
Collision coverage protection
Collision coverage pays for damage to your 500c caused by collision with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for things such as hitting a parking meter, colliding with another moving vehicle, backing into a parked car and scraping a guard rail. This coverage can be expensive, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.
UM/UIM Coverage
This gives you protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your Fiat 500c.
Since many drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required, their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Medical costs insurance
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for expenses for things like pain medications, ambulance fees, dental work and prosthetic devices. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as hitting a bird, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and fire damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
And the best car insurance company is…
Lower-priced Fiat 500c insurance is attainable on the web in addition to many insurance agents, so compare prices from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
You just learned many ways to save on Fiat 500c insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the lowest rates come from a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. Some small companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
