No one just walks out of their house, goes to the first car dealership that they see, and without looking at the car, comparing it with any other cars around, or knowing about the features, just buys it. If someone did this, it would be lunacy. Then why do people rush about getting car insurance? Why not show the exact level of scrutiny and concern to get the best auto insurance out there?
Your auto insurance is just as important as the car you get because, in case of extensive damage, your auto insurance policy can save your car. With the market flooded with so many insurance companies, choosing the best one could get a little overwhelming. Know that you should look for the most expensive or most feature-rich insurance. What you need is insurance that is just right for your car.
This article will look at different tips and tricks, and ways to choose the right car insurance carrier for you. Practice these tips to prevent overpaying for underwhelming auto insurance that does not provide the right coverage for your car. Let’s get started.
Compare Wherever You Can
The insurance market is flowing with great auto insurance providers ready to give excellent coverage at even better prices. But all it takes is a little bit of research and comparison. You don’t even have to trudge through different insurance prices. There are excellent comparison websites that show all the details you need to know about different auto insurance providers. Just give a glance and you’ll find a great and affordable car insurance company in no time!
Choose What Coverage You Need, Not Want!
There’s no dearth of auto coverage. You can insure practically anything on your car, from the engine to the windshield. You can even get roadside assistance to get someone to come and fill up the gas in case you run out of it in the middle of the road. That’s all great and dandy until you notice how much all these different insurance costs. So it is important to choose only the coverage you need to have, not want to have.
Liability Insurance: Every state has made it mandatory to have liability insurance to drive a car legally. This insurance policy is not for the policyholder but for the victim of the car accident that might be caused by the policyholder. Liability insurance has a minimum coverage requirement, each state having its limit. Make sure that your coverage limit is more than the minimum limit. Since this insurance policy is mandatory, you need to have it no matter what.
Personal Injury Protection: PIP insurance is mandatory in twelve states and this policy covers the cost of medical treatment for the policyholder. If you live in one of the no-fault states where PIP is mandatory, then you have to get it. If not, then you can skip it if you want. But considering the cost of medical treatment in the US, and the probability of the person at fault not having liability insurance, having personal injury protection insurance could be a life-saver, literally.
Apart from these two insurance policies, there are so many optional coverage policies that you can get to insure your vehicle. Two of the most common ones are collision insurance and comprehensive insurance.
Collision Insurance: This insurance policy covers all the damages to your car that may happen in an accident that’s your fault. So if you hit someone else’s car, collision insurance will pay for the repairs of your car. Moreover, this insurance policy can also be used if the accident is the other person’s fault and their liability insurance coverage is not enough.
Comprehensive insurance covers all the damages to your car that may happen due to a natural calamity like flood, earthquake, fire, hailstorm, etc. It also covers damages due to vandalism, riot, robbery, etc.
Tip: Choose the optional coverage based on your needs to avoid unnecessary spending. For example, if your car is older than seven or eight years old, then collision and comprehensive coverage can be skipped. It is much better to fix it yourself than making a claim, paying the deductible, and then seeing increased insurance rates.
Think of After Services
Getting low rates can lead you to make impulsive decisions, and we all know what comes after an impulsive decision; regret. So before you buy any auto insurance, do a little background research on the company. Take a look at their customer services, their presence (preferable if the company is present in all fifty states), the claim settlement process, etc. You don’t want to get in an accident and then struggle with the insurance company’s agent to get a claim.
Consider Pay-Per Mile Policies
If you intend to use your car for just commuting, which includes driving it around for a few miles, it is better to get pay-per-mile insurance. In this auto insurance policy, you pay based on how much you drive. It is very cost-effective for people who do not drive too much and it would be foolish to get normal auto insurance if you are not planning to go for long drives in the car.
Get Bundled Insurance
The more you buy, the less you pay. This is true for insurance. Many auto insurance companies give great discounts if you buy multiple insurance policies from them. This “bundling” of insurance policies could save you a lot if you have multiple cars in your house.
And those were the tips on choosing the right car insurance carrier. Follow the tips and save a lot while getting the best coverage for your vehicle.
