Scraping up a payment for overpriced car insurance can take a big chunk out of your savings account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Doing a price comparison is a smart way to slash your bill and have more diposable income. Drivers have so many insurance companies to purchase coverage from, and though it is a good thing to have a selection, lots of choices makes it harder to get the best deal.
Finding the lowest cost car insurance coverage in Central Point is quite easy. If you have a policy now or are just looking to switch companies, you can use this information to cut your premiums and possibly find even better coverage. Oregon consumers just need to understand the tricks to shop for car insurance over the internet.
Comprehensive Central Point Car Insurance Comparison
Finding cheaper car insurance prices is actually quite simple. All you need to do is spend a little time to get quotes online from several insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- Probably the best way to get quotes is an all-inclusive rate comparison click here to open form in new window. This easy form prevents you from having to do multiple quote forms to each individual car insurance company. Filling out one form will get you price quotes instantly.
- A different way to obtain and compare quotes online requires you to visit each individual company website to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, Progressive and GMAC. You would have to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Central Point, click here.
- The most time-consuming way to compare rates is to drive around to insurance agents’ offices. The internet has reduced the need for local agents unless you prefer the professional advice of a local Central Point agent. It is possible to get the lowest quotes online and still use a local agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just make absolute certain that you use exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles for each price quote. If each company quotes higher or lower deductibles it will be next to impossible to truly determine the lowest rate in Central Point.
Do you qualify for these ten discounts?
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available to help offset the cost. Some trigger automatically when you complete an application, but some must be asked for before being credited. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Military Discounts – Having a family member in the military can result in better rates.
- Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
- Multi-car Discount – Having more than one vehicle on one policy qualifies for this discount.
- Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
- Accident Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents can earn big discounts when compared to bad drivers.
- Distant Student – Kids in college who live away from home and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
- Paperwork-free – A handful of insurance companies may give you up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up digitally online.
- Driver Safety – Taking part in a driver safety course can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
- Senior Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may receive a small decrease in premiums.
- New Car Discount – Buying coverage on a new vehicle is cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
A little note about advertised discounts, many deductions do not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though they make it sound like you could get a free car insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But any discount will bring down the amount you have to pay.
To see a list of insurers with discount car insurance rates in Oregon, click here to view.
Buying car insurance from a local agent
A small number of people prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the best rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting local businesses is definitely important in Central Point.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is transmitted to local insurance agents who will give you bids to get your business. There is no reason to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox.
Insurance agent types
When finding a reliable agent, there are two different agency structures to choose from. Agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can do a good job, but it’s good to learn the differences because it can impact your selection of an agent.
Independent Agents
These agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When searching for an agent, it’s a good idea to get quotes from several independent insurance agents for maximum quote selection.
The following is a list of independent agents in Central Point that are able to give price quote information.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px" src="https://www.carinsurancediy.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-76.jpg" alt="lower rates in Oregon” />
Karolyne Johnson Insurance – 21 S 7th St – Central Point, OR 97502 – (541) 664-1252
Daniels Insurance – 245 E Pine St – Central Point, OR 97502 – (541) 664-6396
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies write business for a single company like Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They are unable to compare other company’s rates so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agents are well schooled in insurance sales which can be an advantage.
Below is a short list of captive insurance agencies in Central Point that are able to give rate quotes.
Farmers Insurance Group – 49 S 4th St – Central Point, OR 97502 – (541) 664-3352
American Family Insurance – 1217 Plaza Blvd # D – Central Point, OR 97502 – (541) 665-5218
Allstate Insurance – 650 E Pine St # 103 – Central Point, OR 97502 – (541) 664-1400
For a complete listing of Central Point captive insurance agencies, please go to this site.
Selecting a car insurance agent requires more thought than just a cheap price. These are valid questions to ask:
- How are claims handled?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
After getting positive responses to these questions and a good coverage price, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that can provide car insurance coverage. But keep in mind consumers can terminate your policy at any time so never assume you’re contractually obligated to any particular company with no way to switch.
More information can be read on the website for the Oregon Insurance Division through this link. Visitors are able to view a list of available companies, report car insurance fraud, download brochures, and find a variety of consumer forms.
Other informative sites include this site for rates in Oregon and this resource to find Central Point, OR insurance agents.
Auto insurance coverage information
Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the normal coverages offered by car insurance companies.
Comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as hitting a bird, rock chips in glass and hitting a deer. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for bills for prosthetic devices, rehabilitation expenses, pain medications, ambulance fees and EMT expenses. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Coverage applies to not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Collision coverage
Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision insurance covers things such as crashing into a building, backing into a parked car, sustaining damage from a pot hole and rolling your car. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. You can also bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Coverage for liability
Liability coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to other’s property or people that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Some companies may use a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability can pay for things like funeral expenses, pain and suffering, structural damage, emergency aid and attorney fees. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as large an amount as possible. Oregon state minimum liability requirements are 25,000/50,000/20,000 but drivers should carry better liability coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many Oregon drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (which is 25/50/20), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is a good idea. Usually these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Quote more, save more
Low-cost car insurance is available on the web and also from your neighborhood Central Point agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.
As you shop your coverage around, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an insured dropped collision coverage only to discover later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.
We just presented many tips how you can shop for car insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers could even find that the lowest priced car insurance comes from the least-expected company. Some small companies often have lower prices on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as Geico and State Farm.