No one in their right mind likes having to buy auto insurance, especially when their premiums are too high.
You have so many auto insurance companies to insure vehicles with, and though it is a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to compare company pricing.
It’s a great practice to take a look at other company’s rates yearly since insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you got the lowest rates two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. There is too much inaccurate information about auto insurance online but by reading this article, you’re going to learn the easiest ways to save money.
Locating the lowest cost auto insurance in Lubbock is easy if you know what you’re doing. Just about every vehicle owner who shops for auto insurance will be able to find better rates. Nevertheless, Texas consumers must learn how the larger insurance companies price insurance differently and take advantage of how the system works.
How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs in Lubbock, TX
Comparing auto insurance rates can take time and effort if you don’t understand the best way to get rate quotes. You can waste a lot of time talking about coverages with local insurance agents in Lubbock, or you could use the internet to get prices fast.
The majority of car insurance companies enroll in a system where prospective buyers only type in their quote data once, and at least one company can give them a price for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do form submissions to each company. To compare rates using this form now click here (opens in new window).
The one disadvantage to using this type of system is you can’t choose the companies to get quotes from. If you would rather choose specific providers to compare rates, we have a page of companies who write auto insurance in Texas. Click here to view list.
Whichever way you use, ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples information with each company. If you are comparing higher or lower deductibles it’s not possible to truly determine the lowest rate in Lubbock. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages may result in large price differences. Keep in mind that more quotes will improve the odds of getting the best price.
How much can you save with these ten discounts?
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you can get discounts to help bring down the price. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be manually applied prior to getting the savings.
- College Student – Kids in college living away from home attending college and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
- Own a Home – Simply owning a home can save you money because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.
- Defensive Driving Course – Completing a course in driver safety could save 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Memberships – Participating in a civic or occupational organization may earn a discount on auto insurance.
- Theft Prevention System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Multiple Policy Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may save up to 20% off your total premium.
- Military Rewards – Being deployed with a military unit can result in better rates.
- Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
- Use Seat Belts – Drivers who require all occupants to use their safety belts can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
- Life Insurance – Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy life insurance from them.
A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as comp or med pay. Just because it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will cut your premiums.
To choose insurers who offer auto insurance discounts in Lubbock, click here.
Buying car insurance locally
Certain consumers prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is you can get better rates but still work with a licensed agent. Supporting local agencies is important particularly in Lubbock.
Once you complete this short form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Lubbock who will compete for your coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go straight to your inbox. You’ll get the best rates AND a local agent.
Car insurance agents in Lubbock come in two varieties
When looking for local Lubbock agents, there are a couple of types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agencies in Lubbock are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive).
Independent Insurance Agents
Independent agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparison shopping, it’s recommended you include at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.
The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Lubbock that are able to give pricing information.
Cia Insurance Agency and Assoc – 1220 Broadway St – Lubbock, TX 79401 – (806) 762-1205
Joe Combest Agency – 6707 1st St – Lubbock, TX 79416 – (806) 793-8602
Grimes Insurance – 1651 Broadway St – Lubbock, TX 79401 – (806) 762-0544
Acordia West Texas Agency Inc – 5214 68th St # 201 – Lubbock, TX 79424 – (806) 798-9050
Pollard Insurance – 4412 74th St – Lubbock, TX 79424 – (806) 795-7669
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with like AAA, Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance or Liberty Mutual. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agents are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.
The following are captive agencies in Lubbock that are able to give rate quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 6701 Aberdeen Ave # 2 – Lubbock, TX 79424 – (806) 798-1340
State Farm Insurance – 3524 34th St – Lubbock, TX 79410 – (806) 797-3329
Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Co – 5605 Avenue Q South Dr – Lubbock, TX 79412 – (806) 747-5271
Farmers Insurance Group – 7402 University Ave – Lubbock, TX 79423 – (806) 745-7777
For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Lubbock, visit this link.
Deciding on an insurance agency requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Agents should be asked these questions:
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
Upon getting satisfactory answers as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to adequately provide auto insurance. Keep in mind once you purchase a policy you can cancel a policy any time you want so don’t think you are locked into the auto insurance policy for the entire policy term.
Car insurance coverages
Having a good grasp of your auto insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The coverage terms in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.
Coverage for medical expenses – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance provide coverage for short-term medical expenses for things like prosthetic devices, surgery and hospital visits. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants in addition to any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
Auto liability insurance – Liability insurance will cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show limits of 25/50/25 which stand for $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Some companies may use one number which is a combined single limit which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability coverage protects against things such as structural damage, medical services, funeral expenses, attorney fees and pain and suffering. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but you should buy as much as you can afford. Texas state law requires minimum liability limits of 30,000/60,000/25,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.
Collision – Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers claims like crashing into a building, scraping a guard rail, sustaining damage from a pot hole and crashing into a ditch. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. You can also choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Comprehensive auto insurance – This coverage 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 things like hitting a deer, falling objects and hitting a bird. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider dropping full coverage.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – This coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered claims include injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many Texas drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (Texas limits are 30/60/25), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea. Normally these coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
Discount auto insurance can be bought online in addition to many Lubbock insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best rate selection. Some companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.
When shopping online for auto insurance, it’s a bad idea to reduce needed coverages to save money. In many instances, drivers have reduced physical damage coverage and learned later that it was a big mistake. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.
For more reading
Additional auto insurance information is located on the website for the Texas Department of Insurance found here. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and find out which companies have the most complaints.
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