Sick and tired of trying to scrape together enough money to buy car insurance? You are no different than many other drivers.
Because there are so many choices, it can be impossible to locate the cheapest provider.
The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes from local car insurance companies. The easiest way by far to compare insurance prices is to get quotes online. This can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
The single most time-saving way consumers can analyze rates would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This type of form keeps you from doing boring form submissions for each company. One form will return price quotes from multiple low-cost companies.
Another way to obtain and compare quotes online requires a trip to each company’s website to complete a price quote. For instance, we’ll assume you want comparison quotes from Progressive, Esurance and American Family. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in your area, click here.
The most time-consuming method of getting rate comparisons is to spend your day driving to insurance agents’ offices. The ability to buy insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the trained guidance of a local agent. It is possible to comparison shop online and still use a local agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.
However you get your quotes, make sure you use exactly the same coverages and limits for each price quote. If each company quotes mixed coverages it’s impossible to truly determine the lowest rate. Just a small difference in insurance coverages could mean much higher rates. And when comparison shopping, having more price comparisons helps you find the best price.
Some people prefer to buy from a local agent and that is just fine! The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the best rates but also keep your business local.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, your insurance coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent directly to your email. How cool is that?! You’ll get the best rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.
Choosing an provider needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:
When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agencies are categorized either independent or captive.
Captive agencies work for only one company such as Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents receive extensive training on the products they sell which can be an advantage.
These agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with multiple insurance companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to contact several independent insurance agents to have the most options to choose from.
To view a full list of car insurance agents, click here.
After receiving satisfactory answers to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.