6 Tips When Looking for Auto Insurance Quote Comparison

Searching for affordable car insurance starts with getting quotes to compare. It is the single best way to save money on car insurance, but there are a few tips that can make the search even more effective.

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All experts agree that shopping around and comparing rates from multiple insurance providers has the greatest potential for making savings. Rates vary among providers more than consumers would believe, so it really is possible to save hundreds of dollars on coverage.

There are many different ways to get quotes, and it really has no impact on your current insurance coverage. You could get a million quotes, and it will have no effect on your current coverage. Then you will truly be informed on how much insurance should cost for you!

#1: Get as Many Quotes as Possible

The first tip to follow when you are searching for insurance quotes to compare is to get as many quotes as possible. The more options you look into, the more likely it is that you will find a truly affordable rate. The industry specialists at the Insurance Information Institute recommend that you get at least three quotes, but really, you should aim for much more if possible.

Remember that you are not just searching for the lowest price, as some things are just too good to be true.

You won’t have any trouble finding Internet ads that broadcast car insurance as low as $39 a month, but such claims are not worth your time.

Car insurance is meant to protect you and your assets. It is not a time to try to get coverage that is as cheap as possible. What you are aiming for is good coverage, a sound provider and an affordable price.

Many drivers are probably overpaying for their coverage, and getting multiple quotes will increase the likelihood that you will find the provider that has reasonably priced rates for you. You will also get many really high quotes, but the affordable quotes will make those ridiculously high insurance rates just seem funny.

#2: Get Quotes for the Same Amount of Coverage

One very important tip is to use the same amount of coverage for each quote that you get. If your quotes aren’t for the same amount of coverage, then you won’t be able to compare the rates from different that you get. A quote for liability-only coverage is not comparable to a quote for full coverage because the full liability quote includes more coverage that would naturally costs more.

If you get quotes willy-nilly without paying attention to how much coverage each one is for, then you are likely going to be short-changing yourself. You will likely end up with too little coverage that won’t really protect you and your assets. It may be possible for you to get much more coverage for just a little bit more money, but you won’t know that!

You must know beforehand exactly how much coverage you need before you start the process to get your quotes. In fact, the Maine Department of Insurance maintains that knowing how much coverage you want is the key to comparison-shopping for insurance.

Generally, most experts recommend that you get liability coverage in amounts much higher than your state’s minimum levels, full coverage in the form of collision and comprehensive, and an adequate amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and personal injury protection.

The levels that you will need will vary, but it is always better to buy more coverage than too little. If you need assistance with you levels of coverage, an independent agent or insurance specialist should be able to help you.

#3: Stick to the Truth

When you search for quotes, you will have to fill out applications about your particular information. You will be asked questions about your vehicle, your driver’s license and your driving history and behaviors.

You may be tempted to misrepresent your information a bit to attempt to get better rates, but such lies are considered to be nothing but fraud by insurance companies; your state and the federal government are of the same opinion as well, according to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. While you likely won’t have law enforcement knocking down your door over inaccuracies on your car insurance application, such fraud can cause trouble down the road.

People lie about how many accidents they have been in and how many speeding tickets and other moving violations they have gotten; insurance companies understand this, and they look this information up to verify it. But people also lie about how many miles they drive every day, whether or not they use the vehicle for business purposes or even their home addresses; all to get better rates.

If your insurance company finds out that your information on your application is incorrect, they can use that fact to cancel your coverage or even deny your claim.

Furthermore, inaccurate information on your application can also delay your quotes or make them incorrect.

#4: Search Big and Small

When you are thinking of companies to get quotes from, make sure that you aren’t relying on only those providers who fill half of your TV watching time with commercials. Relying on coverage from those providers who continually advertise will only get you quotes from the biggest providers in the country. While you should get quotes from the largest insurers, you should get quotes from companies of other sizes as well.

Generally, the biggest insurers look for customers with the cleanest records and the least amount of risk, so they may be your best bet for affordable coverage if you have not had an accident or ticket in the last three years, your credit is decent and you drive a safe vehicle. If you have a few black marks on your driving history, then smaller insurance companies may be able to offer you a lower rate than the bigger ones.

Smaller insurers might have additional perks, such as dedicated agents and first-rate service. However, smaller companies might not have 24-hour claim service, call centers, or additional insurance options like homeowner and renter’s insurance.

Widening your search net will allow you to find the perfect insurance company that has everything that you need. You have to buy insurance for your vehicle, so you might as well get as much bang for your buck as possible.

#5: Use Quote Comparison Websites

It doesn’t matter how you get your quotes; the important point is that you get them! You can go the tried-and-true methods of using an agent or walking into a local office to shake some hands. You can also utilize the telephone as most companies have call centers; many are open to the wee hours.

Another option is to use the Internet. Just about all insurance companies, big and small have an interactive website that allows you to fill out and submit an application for quotes. Some quote applications will be automated and quicker than those that need to be calculated by a person, but those that are automated generally aren’t as accurate as those done by hand are.

If you like to save time and effort without sacrificing quality, then you should utilize a quote comparison website such as this one. Quote comparison websites take all of the hard work out of searching for rate quotes, but give you more back in return. They make the process easier, faster, and more efficient.

Quote comparison websites only require you to fill out one application, rather than one for every quote that you want, saving you time. Also, one application means that your quotes will all be for the same amount of coverage. Quote comparison sites take your information on your application and send it to insurance providers. Those providers then send you back quotes for coverage.

Another big plus about quote comparison websites is they allow you to get quotes from insurance companies that you didn’t think of. It could be very likely that your best rate will come from a provider who is unknown to you.

#6: Use Quote Comparisons as a Start

Lastly, make sure that you don’t stop with your quote comparison. Price is just one part of what matters in a car insurance provider, so your research isn’t done!

Your comparison search is very important, but a great insurance provider is worth a cheaper rate with an unreliable company any day of the week.

Use your quote search to identify a few car insurance companies that have affordable rates for your coverage needs. Then, research those companies to find out which is the most reliable, the most stable, the most trustworthy or whatever other factors matter to you. Perhaps you want a provider that has a good history of corporate responsibility, donating money and doing good works within the community.

Research the insurance companies by looking them up on your state’s Department of Insurance or the Consumer Information Source provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Look at independent ratings websites like the Better Business Bureau, J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports to read up on the insurers’ customer service reputations. Lastly, credit rating agencies like Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s will let you know if the insurance companies have a firm financial foundation or not.

Once all the facts are in, you can choose an insurer that has a great service as well as great rates!

Look no further for car insurance quotes to compare because all you need to do is put your ZIP in the FREE box now!