7 Shopping Tips Shown to Save on Car Insurance Costs in Rocky Mount

Locating cheaper Rocky Mount car insurance might seem rather challenging for consumers new to quoting and comparing and buying car insurance on the web. With a ridiculous number of insurers available, how can consumers have a chance to compare every company to locate the cheapest price possible?

If you are insured now or are just looking to switch companies, you can follow these tips to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. Locating the cheapest coverage in Rocky Mount is simple if you know the tricks. Virginia consumers just need to understand the best way to shop for car insurance on the web.

Verify you’re earning every discount

Some providers do not advertise their entire list of discounts very well, so the list below details both the well known as well as the least known discounts that you may qualify for. If you do not check that you are getting every discount possible, you may be paying too high a price.

  • Theft Deterent System – Anti-theft and alarm system equipped vehicles help deter theft and can earn a small discount on your policy.
  • Employee of Federal Government – Active or former government employment may reduce rates when you with certain companies.
  • Policy Bundle Discount – If you can combine your homeowners and auto policy with one insurance company you could earn a discount of at least 10 to 15 percent or more.
  • Memberships – Having an affiliation with qualifying employment or professional organizations could qualify you for a break when shopping for car insurance.
  • Senior Citizens – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive a slight reduction on a .
  • Discounts for Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who always wear seat belts and also require passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 10 percent (depending on the company) off the PIP or medical payment premium.
  • ABS Braking Discount – Cars, trucks, and SUVs that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can stop better under adverse conditions and will save you 10% or more.

Consumers should know that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though you would think all the discounts add up to a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

To choose providers that offer discounts in Rocky Mount, click this link.

When should I discuss my situation with an agent?

When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique.

These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation could use an agent’s help.

  • Do I need motorclub coverage?
  • What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
  • What are Virginia no-fault laws?
  • When should I not file a claim?
  • How high should my medical payments coverage be?
  • Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
  • Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
  • How can I get high-risk coverage after a DUI?
  • I don’t drive much so do I pay less?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

Auto insurance coverages

Having a good grasp of your policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage

This coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (Virginia limits are 25/50/20), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Normally your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages do not exceed the liability coverage limits.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like a broken windshield, theft and vandalism. The most a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the market value of your vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.

Collision protection

Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your vehicle from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage pays for things like rolling your car, hitting a parking meter, backing into a parked car 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 choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.

Coverage for liability

Liability coverage will cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You might see policy limits of 100/300/100 that means you have $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit which combines the three limits into one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability can pay for things such as court costs, emergency aid and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is a decision to put some thought into, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford. Virginia state minimum liability requirements are 25,000/50,000/20,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

Medical payments coverage and PIP

Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills for nursing services, EMT expenses, dental work and funeral costs. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers you and your occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage

Informative consumer insurance sites

Additional car insurance information can be read on the through this link. Consumers can find a variety of consumer forms, read industry bulletins, and get help finding coverage.

The following articles may also be useful.

One last thing to lower rates

You just read a lot of ways to save on car insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get premium rates for, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Consumers may even find the lowest auto insurance rates come from a smaller regional carrier.

Affordable car insurance is possible online and with local Rocky Mount insurance agents, and you should compare rates from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. There are still a few companies who may not provide online quoting and many times these small, regional companies only sell through local independent agents.

When you , make sure you don’t buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your strategy should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.