Cutting costs on Fort Payne car insurance is always kind of frustrating for drivers who have little experience quoting coverage prices online. Consumers have so many different companies and agents to choose from that it can easily be a difficult mission to find more affordable car insurance rates.
It’s a good idea to compare prices yearly since prices change frequently. Even if you got the best price on your last policy you can probably find a better rate now. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the right way to find better coverage at a better price.
The quickest method to compare car insurance rates is to understand most of the larger companies pay for the opportunity to compare their rates. The only thing you need to do is provide details including whether or not you need a SR-22, types of safety features, whether you are single or married, and your occupation. Your information gets sent immediately to multiple companies and they return quotes instantly.
To start a rate quote now, click here and find out if lower rates are available.
Discounts can really help lower premiums
Some companies do not advertise the complete list of policy discounts very clearly, so the following is a list of a few of the more common and also the more inconspicuous credits available to lower your premiums when you . If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you are not getting the best rate possible.
- One Accident Forgiven – Not necessarily a discount, but certain companies will allow you to have one accident without the usual rate increase if you are claim-free prior to being involved in the accident.
- Mature Driver Discount – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you could receive reduced rates.
- Full Payment Discount – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you can avoid the installment charge.
- Telematics Data – People who choose to allow driving data collection to scrutinize driving manner by installing a telematics device such as Progressive’s Snapshot and State Farm’s In-Drive might see lower rates if they show good driving skills.
- Passive Restraints – Factory options such as air bags or automatic seat belts can get savings of 25 to 30%.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Not every insurance company offers life insurance, but if they do you may earn a discount if you purchase a life insurance policy as well.
- Theft Prevention System – Cars, trucks, and SUVs equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10% off your .
- Government Employees – Active or retired federal employment may qualify for a discount when you but check with your company.
Don’t be shocked that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like medical payments or collision. So even though it sounds like you could get a free car insurance policy, it’s just not the way it works.
Some of the larger companies that may offer policyholders many of the previously listed discounts may include but are not limited to:
If you need lower rates, check with every insurance company which credits you are entitled to. Savings may not apply in your area. To locate companies who offer free car insurance quotes in Alabama, click this link.
Car insurance coverage options
Knowing the specifics of a car insurance policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Car insurance terms can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things such as a broken windshield, hitting a deer, falling objects and vandalism. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Liability insurance
This can cover injuries or damage you cause to a person or their property by causing an accident. It consists of three limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see limits of 25/50/25 that means you have a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a total of $50,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage pays for claims like medical services, repair bills for other people’s vehicles, funeral expenses, legal defense fees and attorney fees. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but buy as large an amount as possible. Alabama requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing better liability coverage.
Medical payments coverage and PIP
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses like funeral costs, ambulance fees, prosthetic devices and nursing services. They can be 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 being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits (Alabama limits are 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.
Collision coverage
Collision coverage will pay to fix damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You have to pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers things such as damaging your car on a curb, scraping a guard rail, crashing into a building, rolling your car and crashing into a ditch. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Alabama Department of Insurance website. Alabama drivers can view a list of available companies, download brochures, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.
Other useful links include BankRate.com’s Car Insurance: When not to Skimp and this list of insurance agents in Fort Payne.