10 Discounts Drivers Neglect when Buying Insurance for a Mini Cooper

Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can dwindle your bank account and force you to make sacrifices. Shopping your coverage around is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to make sure you’re not throwing money away. Since consumers have many choices of insurance companies, it can be hard to find the lowest cost company.

Consumers need to price shop coverage on a regular basis because prices change quite often. Just because you had the lowest price for Cooper insurance two years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting right now, block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because it’s time to teach you one of the quickest ways to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

Choosing the best insurance company for you is quite easy. If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you can use these techniques to get lower rates and still get good coverage. Drivers only need to know the proper methods to get comparison quotes online.

Auto Insurance Quote Comparison

All the larger auto insurance companies quote coverage price quotes directly from their websites. Getting online quotes is pretty painless as you just enter as detailed in the form. Behind the scenes, their system pulls your driving record and credit report and gives you a price quote based on many factors. Online quotes simplifies rate comparisons, but the work required to visit multiple sites and fill out multiple forms can get tiresome after awhile. But it’s very important to get many rate quotes in order to get better prices.

Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?

The easiest way to compare rates utilizes a single form to get prices from a bunch of companies at once. The form is fast, requires less work, and makes rate comparisons much easier. As soon as you send your information, it gets priced and you can choose your choice of the quote results. If a lower price is quoted, it’s easy to complete the application and buy the policy. It takes just a few minutes to complete and may result in a nice savings.

To get comparison pricing now, click here and input your coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you type in deductibles and limits identical to your current policy. This helps ensure you will have comparison quotes using the exact same coverages.

Switch companies and save? Really?

Consumers can’t ignore all the ads for cheaper car insurance from companies such as Progressive, GEICO, Allstate and State Farm. All the ads make an identical promise about savings if you switch your policy.

How does each company claim to save you money?

Different companies can use profiling for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a profitable customer could be a mature driver, has no driving citations, and drives newer vehicles. Any new insured who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who fall outside the “perfect” profile will be charged higher rates which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “people who quote” save that kind of money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. That is why you absolutely need to get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know the company that will fit your personal profile best.

Take advantage of discounts

Companies don’t always list every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we took the time to find some of the best known and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Paperwork-free – Certain companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application over the internet.
• Safety Course Discount – Successfully completing a defensive driving course could save 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
• Theft Prevention System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Accident Waiver – Some insurance companies will forgive one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
• Resident Student – Youth drivers living away from home attending college without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
• Memberships – Being a member of a professional or civic organization is a good way to get lower rates on your policy for Cooper insurance.
• Drivers Education – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in school.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can pay as much as 50% less for Cooper insurance than less cautious drivers.
• Employee of Federal Government – Employees or retirees of the government can save as much as 8% for Cooper insurance with certain companies.

It’s important to understand that some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most cut specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So when it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.

Local agents and auto insurance

Certain consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Agents can help determine the best coverages and help submit paperwork. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find better rates but also keep your business local.

For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, your information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your business. There is no reason to leave your house since price quotes are sent to your email.

Choosing an insurer requires more thought than just the price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
• How are claims handled?
• How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in your state?
• Can they provide you with a list of referrals?

Is a captive or independent insurance agent right for you?

When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two different agency structures to choose from. Insurance agencies are categorized either captive or independent. While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the differences since it can impact buying decisions.

Captive Agents

These agents can only write with one company and some examples include Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which can be an advantage.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage amongst many 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 comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison.

For a complete listing of insurance agents, visit this site.

Upon getting answers to your satisfaction to these questions and an acceptable price quote, you may have just found a car insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your auto insurance policy. But remember, consumers can cancel your policy for any reason so never assume you’re contractually obligated to the auto insurance policy with no way out.

What coverages do I need?

When it comes to choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is not a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions could help you determine whether you might need professional guidance.

• What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
• I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
• Who is covered by my policy?
• Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
• Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
• Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and may give you better protection.

Learn about auto insurance coverages for a Mini Cooper

Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy aids in choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Shown next are the normal coverages found on the average auto insurance policy.

Comprehensive auto insurance – This will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like theft, damage from flooding and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Auto liability – Liability coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people in an accident. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have policy limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property.

Liability coverage pays for things such as loss of income, court costs, medical expenses and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford.

Coverage for medical expenses – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for expenses such as X-ray expenses, surgery and dental work. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – This coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your Mini Cooper.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits, it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea.

Collision coverages – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision insurance covers claims such as damaging your car on a curb, driving through your garage door, scraping a guard rail and hitting a parking meter. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also increase the deductible to bring the cost down.

Keep this in mind

We just showed you a lot of ways to save on Mini Cooper insurance. The key concept to understand is the more providers you compare, the better your comparison will be. You may even discover the lowest premiums are with a small mutual company. Regional companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate or State Farm.

While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many instances, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.