Nobody I know looks forward to paying for auto insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof.
Insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive constantly blast consumers with ads and it is challenging if not impossible to not get sucked in by the cute commercials and take the time to shop coverage around.
Coos Bay Auto Insurance Prices Online
The are a couple different ways to get quotes from different in Coos Bay, ORinsurance companies. The simplest method to find the lowest rates is to perform an online rate comparison. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- The single most time-saving way consumers can make multiple comparisons is to use a rate comparison form (click to open form in new window). This form prevents you from having to do multiple quote forms to each individual auto insurance company. One quote request will get you price quotes instantly.
- A harder way to find lower rates requires a visit to each individual company website to complete a price quote. For instance, let’s assume you want to compare Farmers, Geico and Progressive. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Coos Bay, click here.
Whichever way you use, double check that you are using the exact same coverages and limits for each price quote. If each company quotes different liability limits it’s not possible to make a fair comparison in Coos Bay. Quoting even small variations in coverages can make a big difference in price. Just remember that comparing more company’s prices helps locate the best rates.
Cut your premium with these nine discounts
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list all their discounts very well, so here is a list some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving.
- Braking Control Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
- Air Bag Discount – Vehicles equipped with air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can get savings of up to 25% or more.
- Theft Prevention System – Vehicles with anti-theft systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
- Safety Course Discount – Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Driving fewer miles could be rewarded with a substantially lower rate.
- One Accident Forgiven – A handful of insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums so long as you haven’t had any claims prior to the accident.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out auto and life insurance together.
- 55 and Retired – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may be able to get a small decrease in premiums.
- Payment Discounts – By paying your policy upfront instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Most only cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you’re out of luck.
Coverages available on your auto insurance policy
Understanding the coverages of your policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the normal coverages offered by auto insurance companies.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for immediate expenses such as funeral costs, nursing services, pain medications, EMT expenses and rehabilitation expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers you and your occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px;" src="https://www.carinsurancediy.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-84.jpg" alt="Oregon auto insurance“/>
Coverage for collisions
This covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with an object or car. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things like sideswiping another vehicle, sustaining damage from a pot hole, colliding with a tree and rolling your car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from older vehicles. You can also raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive auto coverage
Comprehensive insurance will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things like hitting a deer, hitting a bird, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and fire damage. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
Your UM/UIM coverage provides protection when the “other guys” either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and also any damage incurred to your vehicle.
Since a lot of drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (25/50/20), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Liability coverages
This coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to a person or their property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from claims by other people, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. Your policy might show values of 25/50/25 that translate to a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, $50,000 for the entire accident, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability coverage protects against claims like bail bonds, medical services, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and court costs. How much coverage you buy is your choice, but you should buy higher limits if possible. Oregon state minimum liability requirements are 25,000/50,000/20,000 but drivers should carry more liability than the minimum.
Smart consumers save more
Lower-priced auto insurance is available online in addition to many Coos Bay insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to get a complete price analysis. There are still a few companies who do not provide online price quotes and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
We just showed you a lot of techniques to save on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more companies you get rates for, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers could even find that the best prices are with a smaller regional carrier. Regional companies may cover specific market segments cheaper than their larger competitors like State Farm and Allstate.
More resources for learning
More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Visitors are able to learn about insurance regulations, find disaster information, and read industry bulletins.