Overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your bank account, especially in this economy. Shopping your coverage around is a smart way to make sure you’re not throwing money away. Because there are so many companies and agents to choose from, it’s difficult to pick the most cost effective provider.
It’s a good idea to get comparison quotes every six months since rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price a few years ago there is a good chance you can find better rates now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I’m going to teach you the quickest way to remove unneeded coverages and save money.
Choosing the best insurance company for you in Bloomsburg is quite easy. If you are insured now or are just looking to switch companies, you can follow these tips to cut your premiums and possibly find even better coverage. Pennsylvania consumers just need to know the tricks to buy auto insurance on the web.
Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Lowering your auto insurance rates is not a difficult process. You just have to take the time to get quotes online with multiple companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished using a couple different methods.
- The best way to find the lowest comparison rates is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for multiple quote forms for each company. In just a few minutes this one form compares rates from many national carriers.
- A more difficult way to compare rate quotes consists of visiting each company’s website and fill out their own quote form. For example, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Farmers, Esurance and Allstate. You would have to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker.
To view a list of companies in Bloomsburg, click here.
- The hardest way to compare rates is to spend your day driving to different Bloomsburg agent offices. Shopping for auto insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the professional guidance only provided by licensed Bloomsburg agents. It is possible to comparison shop online and get advice from an agent in your area and we’ll talk about that later.
Which method you use is up to you, but make sure you use exactly the same deductibles and coverage limits for every company. If you enter mixed coverages it will be impossible to determine the lowest rate in Bloomsburg.
Are you falling for claims of savings?
Pennsylvania consumers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings from companies such as Allstate, Geico and Progressive. They all make an identical promise about savings after switching your policy.
But how can every company make almost identical claims?
Different companies can use profiling for the driver they prefer to insure. An example of a desirable insured could possibly be between 25 and 40, owns a home, and drives newer vehicles. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and is almost guaranteed to save when switching.
Potential insureds who do not match the requirements will be quoted more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why insurance companies can make the claims of big savings. This emphasizes why you need to get as many quotes as possible. It’s not possible to predict the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.
More discounts equal less premium
Auto insurance companies do not advertise every available discount very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the more common and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- No Accidents – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
- Resident Student – Any of your kids who live away from home and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
- Passive Restraints – Factory air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can qualify for discounts up to 30%.
- Accident Waiver – Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
- Safe Drivers – Safe drivers may save up to 50% more than less cautious drivers.
- E-sign – A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy online.
- Safety Course Discount – Taking a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Anti-theft System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Braking Control Discount – Vehicles with anti-lock braking systems prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only cut the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you’re out of luck.
Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?
Certain consumers would rather visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is you can get better rates and still have an agent to talk to.
After filling out this quick form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to agents in your area who will compete for your coverage. You never need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox.
Deciding on an insurance company requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agents
If you’re trying to find a local agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they differ since it may influence buying decisions.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents have only one company to place business with like Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are not able to compare other company’s rates so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They receive extensive training on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.
The following are captive agencies in Bloomsburg willing to provide comparison quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 640 W Main St – Bloomsburg, PA 17815 – (570) 784-4910
Allstate Insurance – 211 W Main St – Bloomsburg, PA 17815 – (570) 784-0935
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agencies are not employed by any specific company so they can insure your vehicles with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To transfer your coverage to a different company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, we recommend you include multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Shown below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Bloomsburg that are able to give comparison quotes.
Hutchison Insurance Inc – 445 Market St – Bloomsburg, PA 17815 – (570) 784-5550
Bachman Insurance – 7005 Columbia Blvd – Bloomsburg, PA 17815 – (570) 752-3280
To view a complete directory of auto insurance agents in Bloomsburg, view this link.
Upon getting reasonable responses and a low price estimate, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that will properly insure your vehicles. But remember, once you purchase a policy you can cancel your policy at any point so don’t feel you are locked into any particular company with no way out.
You are unique and your auto insurance should be too
When choosing the right insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “perfect” insurance plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different so your insurance should reflect that These are some specific questions might help in determining whether or not you will benefit from professional help.
- When does my teenage driver need to be added to my policy?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
- Does my insurance cover damage caused when ticketed for reckless driving?
- Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
- Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
- How high should my medical payments coverage be?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.
More detailed Pennsylvania auto insurance information is located at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Pennsylvania consumers can find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, and read industry bulletins.
What auto insurance coverages do you need?
Understanding the coverages of your auto insurance policy helps when choosing which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are the normal coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Coverage for collisions
Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another car or object. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision can pay for things like colliding with another moving vehicle, sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a parking meter and damaging your car on a curb. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from lower value vehicles. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Auto liability
This coverage protects you from damage that occurs to people or other property in an accident. It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see values of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability can pay for things like repair costs for stationary objects, medical expenses and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry at least 15,000/30,000/5,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.
Uninsured and underinsured coverage
This provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered claims include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many Pennsylvania drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (15/30/5 in Pennsylvania), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Comprehensive coverages
This covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like falling objects, theft, damage from a tornado or hurricane and hail damage. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider dropping full coverage.
Coverage for medical payments
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for short-term medical expenses for EMT expenses, surgery and X-ray expenses. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
In conclusion
Affordable auto insurance can be sourced on the web in addition to many Bloomsburg insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to get a complete price analysis. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online price quotes and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
When you buy insurance online, you should never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage to discover at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.