10 Ways You Can Buy Car Insurance for Less in Springfield, IL

Feel like you’re a prisoner to an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Believe me when I say there are lots of people in the same boat.

Lots of insurers contend for your business, so it’s not easy to compare every provider and get the definite lowest rate

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to save some money using these tips. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Springfield is quite easy. But Illinois consumers do need to learn the way insurance companies determine prices and apply this information to your search.

Lots of discounts mean lots of savings

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always publicize every available discount very well, so the following is a list of some of the best known and also the lesser-known car insurance savings.

• Paperless Signup – A few companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy online.
• Save over 55 – Older drivers may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
• Club Memberships – Being a member of a qualifying organization may earn a discount when shopping for car insurance.
• College Student – Kids in college who are attending college and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
• Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than drivers with accident claims.
• Multi-car Discount – Insuring more than one vehicle on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
• New Vehicle Savings – Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
• Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
• Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government may qualify you for a discount with a few car insurance companies.

Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you won’t be that lucky.

Comprehensive Car Insurance Comparison in Springfield, Illinois

Most major insurance companies give coverage prices on their websites. Getting online rates is quite simple as you just type in your required coverages into the quote form. When the form is submitted, the company’s rating system will obtain information on your driving record and credit history and provides a quote based on many factors. Quoting online simplifies rate comparisons, but the work required to visit each company’s website and repetitively fill out multiple forms is monotonous and tiresome. Unfortunately, it is important to perform this step in order to find better prices.

Isn’t there an easier way to compare rates?

The preferred way to compare car insurance pricing makes use of a single form to obtain quotes from a bunch of companies at once. The form is fast, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes price shopping online much more efficient. Once the form is submitted, your coverage is rated and you can select your choice of the quotes returned. If you find a better price you simply finish the application and purchase the new policy. This process takes less than 15 minutes and could lower your rates considerably.

In order to use this form to compare rates, simply click here to open in new window and begin entering your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you replicate your coverages exactly as shown on your declarations page. This makes sure you will be getting rate quotes for the exact same coverage.

What about my local Springfield agents?

Some consumers would prefer to buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is you may find better rates but still work with a licensed agent.

By using this short form, the coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your business. You never need to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. You’ll get the best rates AND a local agent.

Deciding on a company needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
• Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
• Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
• Do they assist clients in filing claims?
• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
• Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
• Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
• Can glass repairs be made at your home?

What types of insurance agencies are in Springfield?

When researching a good Springfield insurance agent, there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Agents are either captive or independent (non-captive).

Captive Agents

Captive insurance agents write business for a single company and some examples include Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.

Listed below is a short list of captive agents in Springfield who can help you get price quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 2025 W Iles Ave # C – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 546-6228
Farmers Insurance Group – 1037 S 4th St – Springfield, IL 62703 – (217) 544-3401
Allstate Insurance – 2707 W Washington St # A – Springfield, IL 62702 – (217) 546-7300
American Family Insurance – 773 S Durkin Dr # A – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 391-0500
Shelter Insurance – 1405 Stevenson Dr # 3 – Springfield, IL 62703 – (217) 529-5585
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 2050 W Iles Ave # D – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 787-8585
Illinois Farm Bureau – 600 S 2nd St # 101 – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 544-4390

Independent Insurance Agents

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and that require little work on your part.

When shopping rates, you should always get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.

Shown below is a list of independent agencies in Springfield that can give you price quote information.

Insurance Agency LTD – 214 S Grand Ave W – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 528-7533
Allan R Hamilton Agency – 1037 S 4th St – Springfield, IL 62703 – (217) 528-4400
Sullivan Agency – 2009 Briar Ct – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 241-1940
Jeff Dehner Agency Inc – 2315 S 1st St – Springfield, IL 62704 – (217) 523-5421
Guikema Insurance – 1900 E Sangamon Ave # C – Springfield, IL 62702 – (217) 492-6502

For a full directory of insurance agents in Springfield, please go to this site.

Upon receiving positive feedback to these questions and an affordable coverage quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that will properly service your car insurance policy. Just keep in mind policyholders can cancel your policy any time you want so don’t feel you are locked into a specific agent with no way to switch.

Parts of your car insurance policy

Knowing the specifics of your policy can be of help when determining the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Shown next are typical coverages offered by car insurance companies.

Coverage for medical expenses

Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses such as EMT expenses, rehabilitation expenses and X-ray expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers all vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible

Collision coverage protection

This covers damage to your vehicle from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision can pay for claims like backing into a parked car, crashing into a building and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Liability insurance

This can cover damage or injury you incur 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 liability limits of 50/100/50 that means you have a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability coverage pays for claims like court costs, funeral expenses, bail bonds, legal defense fees and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability should you purchase? That is a personal decision, but you should buy as large an amount as possible. Illinois requires minimum liability limits of 20,000/40,000/15,000 but you should consider buying better liability coverage.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.

Since a lot of drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (20/40/15 in Illinois), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea.

Comprehensive car insurance

This coverage will pay to fix damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from getting keyed, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, rock chips in glass and a broken windshield. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

In the end, you save

When shopping online for car insurance, do not sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. There are many occasions where someone sacrificed liability coverage limits only to regret at claim time that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. The aim is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price.

Budget-conscious car insurance can be bought from both online companies in addition to many Springfield insurance agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not provide online quoting and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

Learn more today

Even more information can be read at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Visitors are able to read enforcement actions against agents and companies, download brochures, and read industry bulletins.

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