Paying for high-priced car insurance can drain your checking account and force you to prioritize other expenses. Comparing price quotes is a smart way to reduce premiums and put more money in your pocket.
Multiple insurance companies compete for your insurance dollar, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers and get the definite best rate
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to lower your premiums substantially using these methods. Finding the best rates in Stamford is not that difficult. Although Connecticut drivers can benefit from knowing how the larger insurance companies compete online and apply this information to your search.
Don’t miss these eight discounts
Companies don’t always list all their discounts very well, so we took the time to find some of the best known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Military Rewards – Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
- Discount for Swiching Early – Some insurance companies reward drivers for signing up prior to your current policy expiration. The savings is around 10%.
- Student Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course in high school.
- Defensive Driving Course – Taking a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles can earn discounted rates on garaged vehicles.
- Own a Home – Simply owning a home can help you save on car insurance because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.
- Accident Waiver – A handful of insurance companies will forgive one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
Keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
To choose insurance companies with discount car insurance rates in Connecticut, click this link.
Comprehensive Stamford Car Insurance Comparison
All major car insurance companies like Allstate, Geico and Progressive quote insurance quotes on the web. Getting online quotes is quite easy as you simply enter your coverage preferences into the quote form. Once you submit the form, the company’s rating system obtains your driving record and credit report and gives you a price quote based on these factors. This makes comparing rates easy, but the process of having to visit several different sites and fill out multiple forms gets old quite quickly. But it is imperative to get many rate quotes in order to find the lowest possible prices on car insurance.
The preferred way to find better car insurance pricing utilizes a single form that analyzes rates from multiple companies. It saves time, helps eliminate reptitive entry, and makes rate comparisons much more enjoyable and efficient. Immediately after you send the form, it is quoted and you are able to buy your choice of the quotes that you receive. If you find a better price you can click and sign and purchase the new policy. It takes less than 15 minutes and may save quite a bit of money.
In order to compare rates using this form now, click here to open in new window and complete the simple form. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you duplicate the insurance coverages exactly as they are listed on your policy. This helps ensure you’re receiving a price comparison for the exact same coverage.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Every insured’s situation is different and your policy should reflect that. These are some specific questions might help in determining whether your personal situation might need an agent’s assistance.
- Am I covered if I crash into my own garage door?
- Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Connecticut?
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
- Am I getting all the discounts available?
- At what point should I drop full coverage?
- When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area.
What if I want to buy from a local Stamford agent?
Certain consumers just want to sit down with an agent. The best thing about getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this simple form, the quote information is immediately sent to companies in Stamford who will battle for your insurance coverage. You never need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy! You can find better rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Picking a company should depend on more than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Connecticut?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
Insurance agencies in Stamford come in two varieties
When looking for local Stamford agents, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Stamford agents are either independent or captive.
Agency Captives
These agents work for only one company and some examples include Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Below is a short list of captive agencies in Stamford that can give you price quotes.
Allstate Insurance – 1122 E Main St # 2 – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 356-8980
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 456 Glenbrook Rd – Stamford, CT 06906 – (203) 327-9400
State Farm Insurance – 111 High Ridge Rd – Stamford, CT 06905 – (203) 356-9596
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency.
When searching for an agent, we recommend you include at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection.
Below are Stamford independent insurance agencies willing to provide comparison quotes.
Bankers and Insurers Agency – 934 E Main St – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 921-1799
A Maffucci and Son Insurance – 25 Crescent St – Stamford, CT 06906 – (203) 348-4267
Donnelly Insurance – 34 5th St – Stamford, CT 06905 – (203) 327-2424
Putnam Agency – 2015 W Main St – Stamford, CT 06902 – (203) 967-1550
Raiteri Agency – 800 Summer St # 412 – Stamford, CT 06901 – (203) 324-5114
To view a complete directory of insurance agents in Stamford, simply jump to this page.
Once you have received satisfactory answers for all questions you ask in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that can adequately provide car insurance.
How can Allstate, Geico and Progressive save drivers who switch?
Allstate, Geico and Progressive consistently run television and radio advertisements. All the companies make the same claim of big savings if you change your policy. But how can every company make the same claim?
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be between the ages of 30 and 50, has no tickets, and has a short commute. A driver that hits that “sweet spot” will get very good rates and therefore will save when switching.
Drivers who don’t qualify for the “perfect” profile will be charged more money which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “people who switch” not “people who quote” save money. That’s the way companies can advertise the way they do. That is why you absolutely need to get as many quotes as possible. You cannot predict which company will fit your personal profile best.
What car insurance coverages do you need?
Understanding the coverages of a car insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the normal coverages found on most car insurance policies.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
This protects you and your vehicle 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 have only the minimum liability required by law (20/40/10 in Connecticut), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.
Collision insurance
Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for claims like colliding with a tree, colliding with another moving vehicle, damaging your car on a curb and rolling your car. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. Another option is to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
Liability car insurance
This coverage provides protection from damage or injury you incur to other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see values of 50/100/50 which stand for a $50,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $100,000 in injury protection per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage protects against claims like medical services, attorney fees, court costs, legal defense fees and structural damage. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but buy higher limits if possible. Connecticut state law requires minimum liability limits of 20,000/40,000/10,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy higher limits.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers claims such as vandalism, damage from flooding and a tree branch falling on your vehicle. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills for things like ambulance fees, hospital visits, prosthetic devices and rehabilitation expenses. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Cheaper insurance is a realistic goal
As you prepare to switch companies, make sure you don’t buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are too many instances where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits only to find out that saving that couple of dollars actually costed them tens of thousands. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Cheaper car insurance is definitely available from both online companies in addition to many Stamford insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both to have the best selection. Some insurance providers do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.
More Connecticut car insurance resources
Additional detailed information can be found at the Connecticut Insurance Department website. Connecticut drivers can file complaints about a company, learn about insurance regulations, and learn about specific coverages.
Additional helpful sites include NAIC.org’s Understanding your Policy and this link where you can get more info about Stamford car insurance.