I really doubt anyone is fond of buying auto insurance, especially knowing the price is too high. You have so many insurers to pick from, and although it’s a good thing to be able to choose, lots of choices makes it harder to locate the cheapest rates.
Finding affordable coverage in Ashland is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. Although Virginia vehicle owners do need to know the way companies price online insurance because it can help you find the best coverage.
Affordable Virginia auto insurance quotes with discounts
Car insurance companies don’t always publicize all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so the following list contains some of the more common and the harder-to-find ways to save on auto insurance.
- Multiple Vehicles – Drivers who insure multiple vehicles on the same auto insurance policy can reduce rates for all insured vehicles.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Larger companies have a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
- Professional Memberships – Belonging to specific professional or occupational memberships or organizations can get you a small discount on your policy.
- Claim Free – Drivers who don’t have accidents get the best auto insurance rates as opposed to drivers who are more careless.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles equipped with tracking devices and advanced anti-theft systems are less likely to be stolen and will qualify for a discount on a .
- Discounts for Government Workers – Active or retired federal employment may qualify for a discount when you with select insurance companies.
- College Student Discount – Children who are enrolled in higher education away from home without a vehicle on campus can be insured at a reduced rate.
Discounts lower rates, but most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But all discounts should help lower your auto insurance premiums.
If you would like to choose from a list of companies with discount auto insurance rates in Virginia, follow this link.
Tailor your auto insurance coverage to you
When buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions might point out if your situation will benefit from professional help.
- Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
- How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in Virginia?
- Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
- Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
- Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but one or more may apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Auto insurance specifics
Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing the best coverages for your vehicles. The coverage terms in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Shown next are the usual coverages found on most auto insurance policies.
Liability
This can cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and does not provide coverage for your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You commonly see liability limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability insurance covers claims such as bail bonds, repair costs for stationary objects, structural damage, medical expenses and attorney fees. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but buy higher limits if possible. Virginia requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/20,000 but drivers should carry higher limits.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hail damage, hitting a bird, vandalism and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection when the “other guys” do not carry enough liability coverage. This coverage pays for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/20), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked.
Insurance for medical payments
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for expenses for ambulance fees, EMT expenses and surgery. The coverages can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Collision coverage
This will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against claims such as crashing into a ditch, driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle, colliding with a tree and sideswiping another vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
More sites with auto insurance information
More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Virginia drivers can learn about insurance regulations, get help finding coverage, read state legal mandates and laws, and file complaints about a company.
The following information may also be useful.
- Lower Ashland, OR Auto Insurance Rates in Five Minutes
- Ashland, KY Auto Insurance For Less Than Youre Paying Now
Keep this in mind
As you prepare to switch companies, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that it was a big error on their part. Your goal is to buy a smart amount of coverage for the lowest cost, but do not skimp to save money.
Some companies don’t offer internet price quotes and usually these regional carriers sell through independent agents. Lower-priced auto insurance can be bought both online in addition to many Ashland insurance agents, and you need to price shop both to get a complete price analysis.