To help you get the best car insurance deals, we compiled information on pricing and consumer satisfaction for leading insurers nationwide. We reviewed policies based on average costs for various types of coverage, multiple policy lines and different levels of comprehensive coverage. Our research also revealed insurers that have expanded their offerings or those that offer special benefits for drivers with good credit ratings, good driving records, and those who have obtained a high level of auto licensing.
The very best car insurance companies generally offer a wide variety of coverage. This is one of the biggest deterrents people have in shopping around. Everyone wants the coverage that will give them the most protection, but some people are not sure how much coverage they need, or how much they should be able to carry in terms of personal liability costs. The first thing you must do is determine how much you think you will use your policy. Then you can start evaluating how much protection each aspect of your policy provides.
One of the factors we examined was customer service. How easy was the insurer to reach or how well did they treat us after we made a claim? Customer service for an insurance company is extremely important. The best car insurance companies give you a toll free telephone number to reach an authorized representative, provide you with plenty of timely updates, and even guarantee your satisfaction by sending you a newsletter with important news and information. Most of the best car insurance companies take these services very seriously.
We also looked at whether the insurer charged fair prices for similar coverage in certain areas. In addition to the area where you live, consider what you will need to drive to work, and whether you want to carry other types of insurance, such as renter’s insurance or roadside assistance. Do you need medical expenses coverage? What limits do you need for personal injury protection? The more you know upfront about your insurance needs, the easier it will be for you to shop around for the best price on your premiums and the best deal on your actual deductible.
We found that the best way to lower your premiums is to choose a higher deductible. A high deductible means higher premiums, but there are still ways to reduce your costs without compromising your coverage. For instance, many drivers opt for full collision and comprehensive coverage. This provides the most insurance against your car in the event of an accident, but it does not pay for your medical costs or any damage to your vehicle. If you get legal coverage instead, you may want to consider adding collision and comprehensive to your policy to lower your premiums even more.
Another way to save money on your insurance premiums is to raise your deductible. By raising your deductible, you will be able to lower your overall cost of insurance, since you will have paid more in the event of an accident. You will pay more in the event of an accident, but it can still be less than the cost of the repairs to your vehicle.
Your agent will also be able to give you helpful information about any discounts that you qualify for. For instance, if you have a good driving history and you have not had any wrecks or tickets, some insurers will discount your rates. Some insurers also offer discounts to good students. This can significantly lower your premiums. To qualify for some of these discounts, you may have to take a defensive driving course or take an advanced driving course.
Finally, some insurers require drivers to undergo a more intensive safety assessment before they are eligible for insurance. If you fit this category, you should definitely talk to your insurance agent about how you can lower your rates. Most insurers will require drivers to take a defensive driving class, take a basic safety course, or get a driver’s license in order to qualify for this discount. In order to get the discounts, you must complete the courses and the tests on time. Remember that it is usually not easy to get discounts for these courses, so you should make sure that you are always on time and that you practice safety when driving.