The best way to buy auto insurance is to research insurance companies, both online and locally. It is important to keep in mind a few things while doing this. While an online insurance company may offer cheaper insurance, most do not have a local agent in the area to assist when help is needed. Sometimes having an agent to assist you during times of need, such as an accident, is a great benefit and worth paying a little extra for.
Visit an Insurance Agent
When considering insurance companies, it is best to call the insurance office and set up an appointment. Since the agent knows ahead of time, he can set the appropriate amount of time aside. This also gives you an opportunity to meet the agent. There is an added benefit to talking one-on-one with an agent. Sometimes he needs to know a little about your history to make an insurance policy work for you. This can’t be done when getting a quote online.
Know Your Coverages
Have an idea of what coverages you desire and tell the agent. If you have a lienholder on your vehicle then you will most likely need the Collision and Comprehensive coverage. Deductibles come in varying amounts and you should know how much of a deductible you can afford to pay. Other coverages to consider are the liability limits, roadside assistance, or rental coverages. Some states require a tort option and this can cause a major difference in price.
Know Your Discounts
There are many discounts available to help decrease one’s auto insurance premium. Some discounts to consider are the multi-car and multi-policy discount, the driver’s education and good student discount, and the retired discount. These discounts can drastically reduce one’s premium.
Get a Quote
Be sure, when getting quotes from different companies, that they are all quoting you the same coverages. Apples to apples comparisons are the best. Always have the agent print off a copy of the quote for you to keep. This is also the time to ask any questions about the policy. It is good to know how billing works, if it is a 6-month policy or a year policy, if debit or credit cards are taken, or if one can make payments in the office itself.
Compare Quotes
Once you have acquired all the quotes, take a moment to sit down and study them. If one is higher than the others, ask yourself why. Is something added which shouldn’t be? Mistakes can happen and sometimes a discount may have been forgotten or a particular coverage accidentally added.
Make a Commitment
Once you have decided on auto insurance that best suits your needs, call the agent and tell him you are ready to commit. This will probably involve another trip to the agent’s office. At this time, you will need to pay a down payment, if there is one. Some customers opt to pay the whole premium upfront and others plan for monthly payments. Many papers will need to be signed at this point and usually an insurance card will be made for you. Finally, many agents will send a cancellation to the insurance company they are replacing.
