Learn How to Pay Less and Get More for Islip, NY Car Insurance

Learn How to Pay Less and Get More for Islip, NY Car Insurance

Perplexed by the wide range of car insurance companies in Islip? You’re not the only one! People have so many choices that it can turn into a real challenge to find the perfect company for you.

Free Quotes for Car Insurance in Islip

All major car insurance companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm allow you to get price estimates online. Getting online quotes is fairly straightforward as you simply type in your personal and coverage information as detailed in the form. Behind the scenes, their system gets reports for credit and driving violations and generates a price.

Quoting online makes comparing rates easy, but having to visit several different sites and fill out multiple forms can be a bit tiresome and repetitive. Unfortunately, it is important to compare as many rates as possible if you want to find better prices.

The quickest way to get multiple rate quotes requires only one form that gets price quotes from several different companies. It’s a real time-saver, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes rate comparisons much more enjoyable. Once the form is submitted, it is rated and you can select your choice of the quote results.

If the quotes result in lower rates, you can simply submit the application and buy the policy. This process takes 15 minutes at the most and could lower your rates considerably.

To find out how much you can save on car insurance, click here to open in new window and begin entering your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended that you enter the insurance coverages identical to your current policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you will get comparison quotes based on the exact same insurance coverage.

Be sure to get all your discounts

Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts to help offset the cost. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time you complete a quote, but some must be asked about in order for you to get them. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you are throwing money away.

  • Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
  • Pay Now and Pay Less – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than paying monthly you can actually save on your bill.
  • Defensive Driver – Successfully completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
  • Homeowners Savings – Being a homeowner may trigger a car insurance policy discount because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.
  • Resident Student – Children who attend school more than 100 miles from home without a vehicle on campus may be able to be covered for less.
  • Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
  • Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles could qualify for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
  • Accident Forgiveness – Some insurance companies allow you one accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear for a certain period of time.

A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like liability and collision coverage. Just because you may think adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don’t profit that way. Any amount of discount will cut the cost of coverage.

To choose providers offering car insurance discounts in Islip, click here to view.

Understand what determines the rate you pay

It’s important that you understand the different types of things that help determine the price you pay for car insurance. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that could result in big savings.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px;" src="http://www.quoteclickinsure.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/ci175-76.jpg" alt="Islip car insurance prices“/>

The following are some of the items car insurance companies consider when setting premiums.

  • Lower rates come with age – More mature drivers are more responsible, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers. Young drivers are known to get distracted easily when driving and because of this, their car insurance rates are much higher.
  • Is your vehicle built for speed? – The performance of the car you own makes a significant difference in your rates. The cheapest insurance rates tend to be for lower performance four cylinder passenger models, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
  • Car features impact rates – Driving a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Theft prevention features such as LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all hinder your car from being stolen.
  • Bump up deductibles to save – Physical damage coverage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims are collision with another vehicle, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. Your deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay in the event of a claim. The higher the amount you have to pay, the lower your rates will be.
  • Bundling policies can get discounts – Some car insurance companies give discounts to people who carry more than one policy, otherwise known as a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, it’s in your best interest to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Where do you drive? – The more miles you rack up on your car in a year the more you will pay for car insurance. The majority of insurers apply a rate based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your car insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
  • Do you have a high stress job? – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as doctors, business owners and stock brokers have the highest rates in part from job stress and long work days. On the other hand, jobs such as actors, students and homemakers get better rates.
  • Safer occupants lowers premiums – Safer cars can get you lower premiums. Safe vehicles protect occupants better and fewer injuries translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and lower rates for you.

Compare online but buy from a local Islip agent

Certain consumers prefer to sit down with an agent and that is just fine! Good agents can answer important questions and give you someone to call. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is you can get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for local insurance agencies is important particularly in Islip.

After filling out this short form, the coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Islip who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to leave your house since price quotes are sent directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!

Pick the best car insurance agent in Islip for you

When finding an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies to choose from. Islip agents are either captive or independent. Either one can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning the differences since it can impact buying decisions.

Independent Insurance Agents

These agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.Many can place coverage with smaller regional carriers who may have lower rates.

The following is a short list of independent agents in Islip willing to provide price quotes.

  • Lighthouse Insurance – 241 Islip Ave – Islip, NY 11751 – (631) 581-0100
  • HGM Agency – 1034 Broadway – Islip, NY 11751 – (631) 277-1304
  • NBP Insurance Brokerage Inc – 615 Montauk Hwy – Islip, NY 11751 – (516) 520-0200
Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to give you multiple price quotes so always compare other rates. These agents are well schooled on their company’s products which can be an advantage. Some consumers prefer to purchase coverage from captives primarily because of high brand loyalty and solid financial strength.

The following are captive insurance agencies in Islip willing to provide rate quotes.

  • State Farm Insurance – 660 Montauk Hwy – Islip, NY 11751 – (631) 581-7613
  • Allstate Insurance Co – 227 Islip Ave – Islip, NY 11751 – (631) 859-3000

To view a complete directory of captive agencies in Islip, click here to link.

Choosing an insurance agent needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. Ask your prospective agent these questions:

  • Are there any hidden costs in their price quote and does it include driving and credit history?
  • Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
  • Can they give you a list of client referrals?
  • What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
  • Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?

Once you have positive responses for all questions you ask as well as a affordable price, most likely you have located an insurance agency that meets your needs to provide car insurance coverage.

Islip car insurance prices

More information is available on the New York Department of Financial Services website found here. Consumers can download brochures, find disaster information, get help finding coverage, and view a list of available companies.

The following articles may also be useful.

Do the work, save more money

We just showed you some good ideas how you can get a better price on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the best prices are with a company that doesn’t do a lot of advertising.

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s a bad idea to reduce coverage to reduce premium. There are too many instances where someone sacrificed physical damage coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.

Cheaper car insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Islip insurance agents, so compare prices from both to get a complete price analysis. Some insurance providers do not provide online price quotes and these smaller companies work with independent agents.