How to Find The Cheapest Auto Insurance In Your State
Ever wonder how to find the cheapest car insurance in your state? Each state is different as far as what they require for car insurance minimums, and that means prices can be all over the place between companies. While there are loads of options when it comes to choosing a car insurance company, there are some basic strategies to choosing the best coverage, price, and customer service for your car insurance needs. Read on to learn how to find the best and cheapest car insurance rates in your area.
Need more tips on banking, lifestyle, or health?
Know Your Needs
The first thing you need to do when shopping around for car insurance is to know what kind of coverage you need. Each state has its own minimum coverage amount, so you should check into what you need to stay legal before anything else. Some sort of liability coverage, which protects you and other drivers in case of accidents you cause, is usually required by every state. Next, evaluate the kind of car insurance coverage you need. For example, you may want more than the minimum state requirement to protect yourself in case of an accident or other damage to your vehicle. Most car insurance plans will offer some variation of:
- Liability — protects you in the event you cause damage or an accident.
- Collision — protects both drivers’ vehicles regardless of fault.
- Comprehensive — protects against non-accident damage, such as weather damage.
You may also add personal injury or medical coverage as options to your coverage but be aware that doing so will up the price of your premium. Finally, consider your customer service needs. Going with a national company may save you some money on the premium, but what if you require more hands-on care? Only you know what kind of customer service you will need to stay happy with a company. The next step is to carefully consider what you need before shopping around for quotes.
Gather Your Information
When gathering your information, be sure to include information on your driving history, vehicle VIN number, the average number of miles you drive, etc. Here’s a quick list of three things to have handy:
- All drivers’ licenses, addresses, ages, and birthdates.
- All vehicles’ VINs, makes and models, and mileages.
- Current policy information.
If you know what kind of driver you are (this includes things like gender, student or military status, and location), you will be in a better position to know which car insurance plan will suit you and for which auto insurance discounts you may be eligible. Be sure to include your current car insurance policy in your comparison since you may already be getting the best deal available.
Next, it’s time to compare quotes from other insurance agencies. Remember to include all factors in your comparison of quotes, including your coverage needs, individual information, current coverage, and customer service needs. In other words, don’t just look for the cheapest premium. Be sure to compare all your needs with each policy.
Compare Quotes
It’s best to compare at least three car insurance quotes, including the coverage you already have. This can be tedious and time-consuming, but it is well worth your time to compare new car insurance quotes periodically if you are looking to save money. On the other hand, it’s easy to get sucked into the comparison game. You don’t need to compare more than a handful of quotes, or you will be comparing endlessly.
Remember that you are most likely going to find the same or similar information between companies in your area. Your location and driving record likely play the biggest role in your individual quote, and these things will remain the same across different company’s quotes. Again, be sure to compare similar plans between companies. You don’t want to get a plan that doesn’t cover all your needs simply because it’s cheaper.
Look for Discounts
Depending on your driving history, gender, age, student, or military status, you may be eligible for several car insurance discounts. In your comparison, keep an eye out for discounts that apply to you. Some common car insurance discounts include:
- Safe driver.
- Good student.
- Military and dependents.
- Low mileage.
- Safer or newer vehicle.
- Good credit score.
Other ways to lower your rates over time are to keep a good driving record and credit score. Improving your grades and lowering the amount you use your vehicle can also help. When purchasing a new car, consider the coverage you will need and what discounts your purchase may make you eligible for (such as newer or safer vehicle discounts). It’s also a good idea to compare your policy with other quotes at least every two or three years. Every time your policy renews (six to twelve months usually) is another excellent time to do some comparison shopping.
How to Find The Cheapest Auto Insurance In Your State
