Cutting costs on Orem auto insurance can seem to be challenging for consumers new to comparing rates online. Consumers have so many options that it can turn into a challenge to find the best price in Orem.
You should take the time to price shop coverage at least once a year since rates go up and down regularly. Just because you found the best rates a year ago you can probably find a lower rate today. So just forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because it’s time to teach you the right way to find lower rates on auto insurance.
Discounts can save BIG
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you complete an application, but a few need to be inquired about before being credited.
- Discount for Swiching Early – Some companies give discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiration. The savings is around 10%.
- Pay Upfront and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Senior Citizens – Mature drivers can possibly qualify for a discount up to 10%.
- Defensive Driving Course – Completing a defensive driving course could cut 5% off your bill depending on where you live.
- Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
- No Accidents – Claim-free drivers can save substantially when compared with accident-prone drivers.
- Seat Belt Usage – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
- Good Student – Getting good grades can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply up to age 25.
It’s important to understand that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will help reduce your premiums.
To see a list of insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Utah, click here.
Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?
Auto insurance companies such as Progressive, Allstate and Geico continually stream ads in print and on television. They all seem to say the same thing of big savings after switching to their company. How does each company claim to save you money? This is how they do it.
Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of customer that is profitable for them. For example, a preferred risk might be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.
Potential customers who are not a match for these standards will be charged higher premiums which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently make the claims of big savings.
That is why drivers should compare as many rates as you can. It’s impossible to know which company will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Will just any policy work for me?
When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
For example, these questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs could use an agent’s help.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px;" src="https://www.carinsurancediy.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-48.jpg" alt="Orem Utah car insurance quote”/>
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Am I covered when renting a car or should I buy coverage from the car rental agency?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- What can I do if my company denied a claim?
- Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
- Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form.
Car insurance 101
Knowing the specifics of your auto insurance policy can help you determine which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Coverage for medical expenses – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for bills such as prosthetic devices, hospital visits, pain medications and doctor visits. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision coverage – Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage protects against things like damaging your car on a curb, hitting a parking meter and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive auto insurance – Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, hail damage and damage from flooding. The maximum amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Auto liability insurance – Liability coverage can cover injuries or damage you cause to people or other property by causing an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show policy limits of 50/100/50 that means you have $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $100,000, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use a combined limit which combines the three limits into one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as pain and suffering, funeral expenses, medical services and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is up to you, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. Utah requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/65,000/15,000 but you should consider buying more coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – This protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Utah drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/65/15 in Utah), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Frequently the UM/UIM limits are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Additional information is located on the Utah Insurance Department website located here. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, view a list of available companies, find a variety of consumer forms, and learn about insurance regulations.
Additional helpful sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this page of Orem insurance agents.
Smart shoppers get results
You just read quite a bit of information on how to shop for auto insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. You may even find the lowest premiums are with a smaller regional carrier.
Lower-priced auto insurance can be bought both online as well as from independent agents in Orem, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
Consumers who switch companies do it for many reasons like high prices, being labeled a high risk driver, not issuing a premium refund or unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.