I can’t think of a single person who likes having to buy auto insurance, in particular when the price is too high.
Because there are so many choices, it can be challenging to locate the most affordable provider.
It’s a good idea to take a look at other company’s rates at least once a year because rates fluctuate regularly. Even if you got the lowest price a couple years back you can probably find a better price now. So just ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I’m going to teach you how to use the internet to find lower rates on auto insurance.
Finding cheaper auto insurance in Keene can be fairly easy. Just about everyone who has to buy auto insurance most likely will be able to lower their premiums. But New Hampshire vehicle owners need to learn the way companies market insurance on the web.
Compare Auto Insurance Today
To find the best auto insurance prices, there are several ways of comparing rates from different in Keene, NHinsurance companies. The easiest way to find the cheapest insurance rates is to get quotes online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.
- The first (and easiest) way to find the lowest comparison rates would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This method prevents you from having to do a different quote for each company you want a rate for. One quote request gets you price quotes from all major companies.
- A more difficult way to compare prices is going to the website for each individual company to complete their respective quote request forms. For example, let’s assume you want to compare rates from Liberty Mutual, Progressive and GMAC. To find out each rate you need to spend time on each company’s site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a handy list of car insurance company links in Keene, click here.
- The hardest way to get comparison rates is to spend your day driving to insurance agents’ offices. The internet eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you require the professional guidance of a licensed agent. However, consumers can get the lowest quotes online and get advice from an agent in your area. We’ll cover that shortly.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you are comparing identical coverage limits with every price quote. If you compare unequal deductibles or liability limits it’s not possible to truly determine the lowest rate in Keene. Slightly different coverages can mean a large discrepancy in price. Just keep in mind that more quotes will enable you to find the best offered rates.
Are you getting all your discounts?
Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, buy you may qualify for discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically at the time of purchase, but some must be specially asked for in order for you to get them.
- Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you may qualify for reduced rates.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
- Multi-policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with one company you will save at least 10% off all policies.
- Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts could cut 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
- Discount for Swiching Early – Some companies give discounts for signing up prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
- No Accidents – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less compared to bad drivers.
It’s important to understand that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way. But any discount will help reduce the amount you have to pay.
To choose insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in New Hampshire, click here to view.
What coverages do I need?
When buying the right insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Every insured’s situation is different so this has to be addressed. For instance, these questions could help you determine whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.
- What should my uninsured motorist coverage limits be in New Hampshire?
- Does liability extend to a camper or trailer?
- How much liability coverage do I need in New Hampshire?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- Is my teen driver covered when they drive my company car?
- Do I need rental car coverage?
- What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
- What discounts do I qualify for?
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies.
Auto insurance coverages 101
Understanding the coverages of your policy can help you determine which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Shown next are the normal coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.
Since a lot of drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (25/50/25), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time these coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hitting a deer, rock chips in glass, vandalism and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The most 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 it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Collision coverages – This coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another car or object. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage protects against things such as sideswiping another vehicle, rolling your car and colliding with another moving vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Coverage for liability – Liability coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability can pay for things such as legal defense fees, medical services, bail bonds, court costs and medical expenses. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. New Hampshire requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.
Medical expense insurance – Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP reimburse you for short-term medical expenses like nursing services, prosthetic devices, doctor visits, pain medications and funeral costs. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover both the driver and occupants in addition to getting struck while a pedestrian. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states and may carry a deductible
To learn more about auto insurance in New Hampshire
More information can be found on the website for the New Hampshire Insurance Department found here. Visitors are able to read consumer alerts, view agent and company licensing information, and read state legal mandates and laws.