No normal person fancies paying their premiums for auto insurance, especially knowing they are paying too much. Popular companies such as State Farm, Allstate, Geico and Progressive persitently shower you with ad campaigns and it is difficult to sift through the bull and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
It’s important to take a look at other company’s rates periodically because rates go up and down regularly. Just because you found the best premium rates two years ago there is a good chance you can find better prices now. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the proper way to find better coverage at a better price.
The fastest way that we advise to compare rates is to know the trick most of the bigger providers have advanced systems to provide you with a free rate quote. The one thing you need to do is spend a couple of minutes providing details like the type of vehicles you drive, your education level, how you use your vehicles, and daily mileage. The rating information is instantly provided to multiple different insurance companies and you should receive rate quotes quickly.
To compare multiple company rates now, click here and complete the form.
Big names are not always cheapest
Oklahoma consumers can’t get away from all the ads that promise big savings by companies like State Farm and Allstate. All the companies advertise claims that drivers can save some big amount if you change your auto insurance policy to them.
How do they all have lower policy pricing? You have to listen carefully.
Insurance providers offer their best rates for the type of customer that is profitable for them. One example of a profitable risk profile could possibly be a mature driver, owns a home, and drives a car with an anti-theft system. Any new insured who fits that profile receive the lowest rate quotes and most likely will cut their rates substantially.
Insureds who do not meet those standards may be required to pay higher premium rates which leads to the customer not purchasing. The trick is to say “customers who switch” not “everyone who quotes” can get the lowest rates when switching. That’s the way insurance companies can confidently lure you into getting a quote. Different companies use different criteria so drivers should quote coverage with many companies. It is impossible to guess which insurance companies will have the lowest car insurance rates for your situation.
Drivers save money with these nine money-saving discounts
Auto insurance companies don’t necessarily list their entire list of discounts very clearly, so we break down a few of the more common and also the more inconspicuous savings tricks you should be using when you .
- Theft Deterent – Cars and trucks optioned with advanced anti-theft systems have a lower chance of being stolen and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Military Discounts – Being on active duty in the military could trigger a small discount.
- Mature Driver Discount – Drivers over the age of 55 may receive a discount up to 10%.
- Accident Forgiveness – This one is not really a discount per se, but some companies like State Farm, Progressive and Geico will forgive one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a certain period of time.
- Safety Restraint Discount – Forcing all vehicle occupants to use a seat belt can save 10% or more off the PIP or medical payment premium.
- Savings for New Vehicles – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can get you a discount compared to insuring an older model.
- Low Miles Discount – Driving fewer miles can earn discounted auto insurancerates on garaged vehicles.
- Sign Online – Certain insurance companies will provide an incentive online.
- Government Employee Discount – Being employed by or retired from a federal job could provide a small rate reduction with select insurance companies.
One last thing about discounts, many deductions do not apply the the whole policy. Most only cut specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
To find auto insurance companies that offer multiple discounts in Oklahoma, click this link.
When to get advice from an agent
Many people still prefer to talk to a local agent and that is a smart decision Professional agents will help you protect your assets and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is that drivers can save money and get the best rates and also buy local.
After filling out this short form, the quote information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will gladly provide quotes to get your business. It simplifies rate comparisons since you won’t have to contact an agency as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. If you have a need to get a price quote from one company in particular, you would need to search and find their rate quote page and submit a quote form there.
Finding a good company requires more thought than just the price. Any agent should be willing to answer these questions.
- Does the company have a solid financial rating?
- Do they offer accident forgiveness?
- Do they see any coverage gaps in your plan?
- Are they primarily personal or commercial lines agents?
- What company do they have the most business with?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- How are claims handled?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
If you wish to view licensed agents in Noble, see this list of auto insurance providers in Noble, OK.
Once you have received positive feedback to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, chances are good that you have found an insurance company that can be trusted to properly insure your vehicles. Just remember you have the power to terminate your policy when you choose so don’t assume that you are obligated to the auto insurance policy with no way out.
Educate yourself about auto insurance coverages
Understanding the coverages of auto insurance can be of help when determining which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Policy terminology can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the normal coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Liability car insurance – This protects you from damage that occurs to people or other property that is your fault. 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. As an example, you may have liability limits of 25/50/25 that means you have $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for things like attorney fees, medical expenses, structural damage and funeral expenses. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford. Oklahoma requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/25,000 but drivers should carry higher limits.
Coverage for medical expenses – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses for things like rehabilitation expenses, ambulance fees and hospital visits. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to both the driver and occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Collision – Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision insurance covers things like scraping a guard rail, hitting a parking meter, sustaining damage from a pot hole and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Due to the fact that many Oklahoma drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/25 in Oklahoma), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Comprehensive auto insurance – This covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. A deductible will apply and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like fire damage, hitting a bird and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Even more information can be found at the Oklahoma Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, report car insurance fraud, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
The following information may also be useful.
- 6 Ways to Save on Auto Insurance in Noblesville, IN
- How to Get the Best Price from Noblesville Car Insurance Providers
One last thing to lower rates
Lower-priced auto insurance can be sourced online and from local agencies, so get from both of them to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who may not have online rate quotes and most of the time these small, regional companies only sell through independent agents.
When you , make sure you don’t buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced collision coverage only to find out they didn’t have enough coverage. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford, but don’t skip important coverages to save money.