Are you overwhelmed by the number of auto insurance options in Cheshire? Many other consumers are too. You have so many options that it can turn into a lot of work to compare prices.
Buying car insurance in Cheshire is quite easy. If you are insured now or are just looking to switch companies, you can use these techniques to get lower rates and possibly find even better coverage. Connecticut drivers only need to know the best way to get comparison quotes over the internet.
Save big with these ten discounts
Car insurance companies don’t necessarily list every discount very clearly, so the following is a list of both the well known as well as the least known savings tricks you should be using. If you’re not getting every credit available, you are throwing money away.
- E-sign – Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application online.
- New Car Discount – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper since new cars are generally safer.
- Seat Belt Usage – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- No Accidents – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay much less as compared to bad drivers.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Save over 55 – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you can possibly qualify for better auto insurance rates.
- Government Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can save as much as 8% with select insurance companies.
- Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. The savings is around 10%.
- Resident Student – Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle may qualify for this discount.
It’s important to understand that most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
For a list of insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Cheshire, click here.
Quote online but still have a local agent
Some consumers just want to get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you may find the best rates but also keep your business local.
After completing this form (opens in new window), the quote information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Cheshire who will compete for your business. There is no need to drive around because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide.
Selecting an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just a low price. These are valid questions to ask:
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- How long has their agency been in business in Cheshire?
- Did they already check your driving record and credit reports?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
If you wish to view licensed agents in Cheshire, please click here.
After receiving reasonable responses to all your questions and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found an insurer that will provide auto insurance coverage. But remember, policyholders can terminate your policy whenever you wish so don’t assume that you are obligated to a specific agent with no way to switch.
You may need specialized coverage
When buying proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a single plan that fits everyone. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px;" src="https://www.carinsurancediy.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-36.jpg" alt="Connecticut auto insurance“/>
For instance, these questions might help in determining if your situation could use an agent’s help.
- Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
- Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
- Am I covered by my employer’s commercial auto policy when driving my personal car for business?
- Should I buy more coverage than the required Connecticut minimum liability coverage?
- Does my vehicle qualify for pleasure use?
- Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
- Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.
Coverages available on your policy
Having a good grasp of a auto insurance policy aids in choosing the best coverages for your vehicles. Auto insurance terms can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Comprehensive auto coverage – This pays for damage from a wide range of events other than collision. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like fire damage, a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from flooding. The maximum amount a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Medical payments and PIP coverage – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses for things like ambulance fees, doctor visits and rehabilitation expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants in addition to being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible
Collision – This coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for things such as colliding with another moving vehicle, damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a ditch and sideswiping another vehicle. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from older vehicles. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Liability – Liability coverage protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people by causing an accident. 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. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability insurance covers things such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, funeral expenses, legal defense fees, loss of income and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability coverage do you need? That is your choice, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford. Connecticut requires drivers to carry at least 20,000/40,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing better liability coverage.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – This provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. Covered losses include medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits (20/40/10 in Connecticut), their limits can quickly be used up. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Additional detailed information can be read at the Connecticut Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to read state legal mandates and laws, get help finding coverage, and read industry bulletins.
Additional helpful sites include FindNewCarInsurance.com and this resource to find Cheshire, CT insurance agents.
The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest
Drivers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including questionable increases in premium, policy cancellation, policy non-renewal or even delays in paying claims. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding a new auto insurance company is less work than it seems.
In this article, we presented some good ideas how you can get a better price on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers could even find that the best price on auto insurance is with a small mutual company.
Affordable auto insurance is available from both online companies as well as from independent agents in Cheshire, so you should be comparing quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance companies don’t offer the ability to get a quote online and many times these small insurance companies only sell through independent insurance agents.