No one in their right mind looks forward to paying for auto insurance, particularly when the cost is too high.
Drivers have multiple insurers to buy insurance from, and although it’s a good thing to have multiple companies, so many choices can make it hard to find the lowest rates.
The purpose of this article is to familiarize you with the best way to quote coverages. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. But car owners need to have an understanding of the methods companies use to compete online and use this information to your advantage.
Verify you’re getting all your discounts
Properly insuring your vehicles can get expensive, but there are discounts available that many people don’t even know exist. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at quote time, but a few must be manually applied before you will receive the discount.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates on Zephyr coverage than their less cautious counterparts.
- Clubs and Organizations – Belonging to a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break on your policy on Zephyr coverage.
- Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than paying monthly you may reduce your total bill.
- Air Bag Discount – Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings up to 30%.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Student in College – Any of your kids who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
- Senior Citizens – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for a discount up to 10% on Zephyr coverage.
Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.
Auto Insurance Comparisons
There are several ways to compare quotes from local auto insurance companies. The quickest method to compare insurance prices involves getting comparison quotes online. This can be done in a couple of different ways.
The first (and easiest) way consumers can analyze rates is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This easy form saves time by eliminating separate quotation requests to each individual auto insurance company. A single form will get you price quotes direct from many companies.
Another way to compare rate quotes requires you to visit the website for every company you want to comare to request a price quote. For instance, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Liberty Mutual and Travelers. To get rate quotes you would need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is more popular. For a handy list of car insurance company links in your area, click here.
The least recommended way of getting rate comparisons is to spend your day driving to and from local insurance agencies. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the trained guidance of a local agent. It is possible to price shop your coverage online but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just compare apples-to-apples deductibles and coverage limits for each comparison quote. If you have mixed coverages it will be very difficult to make a fair comparison for your Lincoln Zephyr. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages may result in large price differences. Just remember that comparing more company’s prices will increase your chances of finding the best price.
Your Lincoln Zephyr insurance rate is a complex equation
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that can help you get lower auto insurance prices.
The following are a partial list of the pieces auto insurance companies consider when setting your rates.
- How credit affects auto insurance rates – A driver’s credit rating is a huge factor in your rate calculation. Drivers with high credit ratings tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with lower ratings. If your credit rating can use some improvement, you could save money insuring your Lincoln Zephyr by spending a little time repairing your credit.
- Women pay lower rates – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that women are better drivers. They both cause accidents in similar percentages, but men cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. Men also get cited for more serious violations such as DWI and reckless driving.
- Theft deterrents lower rates – Choosing a vehicle with a theft deterrent system can get you a discount on your auto insurance. Anti-theft features like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems can thwart your car from being stolen.
- Bump up deductibles to save – Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your Lincoln from damage. Examples of covered claims are collision with another vehicle, collision with an animal, and windstorm damage. The deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you’re willing to pay, the lower your rates will be on Zephyr coverage.
- Is your vehicle built for speed? – The type of vehicle you are insuring makes a substantial difference in the rate you pay. Since the Lincoln Zephyr falls in the luxury sedan class, rates will be more compared to average rates. Small economy passenger cars usually have the lowest rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
You are unique and your auto insurance should be too
When choosing proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For example, these questions may help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- When would I need rental car insurance?
- Why is insurance for a teen driver so high?
- Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
- What if I total my Lincoln Zephyr and owe more than it’s worth?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area.
Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?
A small number of people would prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. The best thing about getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find better rates but also keep your business local. Supporting small agencies is definitely important in smaller rural communities.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your coverage information gets sent to insurance agents who will compete for your coverage. You never need to leave your computer due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You’ll get the best rates AND a local agent.
Different types of insurance agents
When looking for a local agent, there are two types of agencies to choose from. Agencies are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency.
When comparison shopping, you should always include several independent insurance agents to get the best comparison.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents can only write with one company and examples are State Farm or Allstate. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents receive extensive training on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage.
To view a full list of auto insurance agents, click here.
Selecting a car insurance agent requires more thought than just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- Who are their largest clients?
Once you have received good answers to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.
Smart shoppers get results
Throughout this article, we presented some good ideas how to save on Lincoln Zephyr insurance. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the lowest premiums are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising. These companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates compared to the large companies like State Farm, GEICO and Nationwide.
Affordable Lincoln Zephyr insurance can be found online and also from your neighborhood agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
