I can’t think of anyone who cherishes buying auto insurance, in particular when they are paying too much.
Because you have many options when it comes to auto insurance, it’s difficult to pick the most affordable company.
You need to price shop coverage every six months because insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the best price on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate one of the easiest ways to buy cheaper auto insurance.
More discounts equal less premium
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always publicize all their discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of some of the best known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.
- Anti-theft System – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Good Student Discount – Getting good grades can save 20 to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
- Use Seat Belts – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- College Student – Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
- Accident Waiver – A few companies allow you one accident before hitting you with a surcharge so long as you haven’t had any claims for a set time period.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy qualifies for this discount.
- Early Signing – A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
Consumers should know that many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn’t work that way.
To see a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates in North Dakota, follow this link.
Finding Auto Insurance in Washburn
There are multiple methods you can shop for auto insurance but there is one way that is more efficient than others. You can waste hours talking to insurance agencies in Washburn, or you can stay home and use online quotes to maximize your effort.
Most of the best insurance companies belong to a marketplace that enables customers to only type in their quote data once, and at least one company then gives them pricing for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do quote forms to every company. To find out how much you’re overpaying now click here to open in new window.
The one downside to using this type of form is you cannot specify the insurers you will receive quotes from. So if you want to choose specific insurance companies to receive pricing from, we have assembled a list of low cost auto insurance companies in North Dakota. View list of North Dakota insurance companies.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but be sure to compare exactly the same information with every price quote. If you enter unequal deductibles or liability limits then you won’t be able to determine the best price in Washburn. Slightly different insurance coverages can make a big difference in price. Just remember that comparing more company’s prices gives you a better chance of getting the best rates.
When might I need the advice of an agent?
When choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there is no best way to insure your cars. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that might help in determining if your insurance needs may require specific advice.
- Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
- Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
- What can I do if my company denied a claim?
- Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
- Where can I get insurance after a DUI in North Dakota?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
Neighborhood insurance agents
Some people would prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is OK! One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find lower rates and still choose a local agent.
For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, your insurance data gets sent to participating agents in Washburn who will return price quotes for your coverage. There is no reason to leave your computer since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier! Get lower rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Choosing a company requires more thought than just a cheap price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- Which company do they place the most coverage with?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Do they assist clients in filing claims?
The difference between Washburn auto insurance agents
If you’re trying to find local Washburn agents, there are a couple of different types of agents that you can select. Agencies in Washburn are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Agency Captives
Captive agents are contracted to one company and examples are Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They usually cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are trained well on the products they sell which can be an advantage.
Shown below is a short list of captive insurance agents in Washburn that can give you rate quotes.
American Family Insurance – 724 Main Ave – Washburn, ND 58577 – (701) 462-8520
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different 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 searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents for the best price selection.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Washburn who can help you get comparison quotes.
Nodak Mutual Insurance – 121 Case St – Washburn, ND 58577 – (701) 462-3900
Washburn Insurance Inc – 710 Main Ave – Washburn, ND 58577 – (701) 462-8404
For a full directory of licensed insurance agents in Washburn, please click here.
Once you have positive responses to these questions and a low price estimate, you’ve probably found an insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.
How can Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm save drivers who switch?
Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm consistently run ads in print and on television. They all make an identical promise about savings if you change to them. How can each company claim to save you money?
Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that makes them money. For example, a profitable customer might be over the age of 40, has no prior claims, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and as a result will probably cut their rates substantially.
Potential customers who do not match the “perfect” profile will be quoted more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “people who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. This emphasizes why drivers should get as many comparisons as possible. It’s not possible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.
What auto insurance coverages do you need?
Having a good grasp of your policy can help you determine the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are typical coverage types found on the average auto insurance policy.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as damage to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many North Dakota drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (which is 25/50/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Auto liability
Liability insurance will cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property that is your fault. This coverage protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. Your policy might show limits of 50/100/50 which means a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000.
Liability coverage protects against claims like medical services, funeral expenses and court costs. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but you should buy as large an amount as possible. North Dakota requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.
Medical expense coverage
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for bills such as hospital visits, nursing services, ambulance fees and dental work. They are often used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. It covers all vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Comprehensive protection
This will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims like theft, vandalism and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Collision coverage protection
Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for things such as crashing into a building, rolling your car and backing into a parked car. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Affordable insurance is out there
Cheaper auto insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Washburn agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not provide online price quotes and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
We’ve covered a lot of tips how to get a better price on auto insurance. It’s most important to understand that the more quotes you get, the higher the chance of saving money. You may be surprised to find that the best prices are with the least-expected company. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates as compared to the big name companies such as Progressive or Geico.
When shopping online for auto insurance, it’s a bad idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your focus should be to buy a smart amount of coverage at an affordable rate.
Even more information can be read at the North Dakota Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, learn about insurance regulations, read industry bulletins, and learn about specific coverages.
Additional helpful sites include this link for North Dakota coverage information and this list of agents in Washburn, ND.