Expensive auto insurance can empty your personal savings and put the squeeze on your family’s finances. Comparing price quotes is free and is an excellent way to help make ends meet.
Companies like Geico and Progressive promote their brand names with catchy ads and consumers find it hard to see past the geckos and flying pigs and effectively compare rates to find the best deal.
If you currently have car insurance, you will most likely be able to lower your premiums substantially using these techniques. Buying car insurance in Culbertson is easy if you know what you’re doing. Although Montana vehicle owners need to have an understanding of how companies sell online and apply this information to your search.
Auto Insurance Prices in Culbertson, MT
When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways to get quotes from local in Culbertson, MTauto insurance companies. The recommended way to compare insurance prices is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be accomplished in several different ways.
- The easiest and least time consuming way to get the best comparison quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This method prevents you from having to do a different quote for each company. Taking the time to complete one form will return price quotes direct from many companies.
- A more time consuming way to compare rate quotes requires visiting the website for every company you want to comare to complete a price quote. For example, let’s say you want to compare USAA, Allstate and Progressive. To get each rate you have to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Culbertson, click here.
Which method you use is up to you, but ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples coverage limits for each price quote. If the quotes have different deductibles it will be next to impossible to determine the lowest rate in Culbertson. Slightly different coverage limits can result in a big premium difference. Keep in mind that more quotes will enable you to find better pricing.
More discounts equal less premium
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but there are discounts available that you may not even be aware of. Most are applied when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about in order for you to get them.
- Drive Less and Save – Fewer annual miles can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
- Accident Forgiveness – Certain companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims prior to the accident.
- Safe Driver Discount – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than less cautious drivers.
- Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for switching policies prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
- Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. The discount lasts up to age 25.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government can earn a discount up to 10% depending on your company.
- Theft Prevention System – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver’s ed class in school.
- Memberships – Belonging to a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.
Consumers should know that most credits do not apply to the entire cost. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way. But all discounts will help reduce the cost of coverage.
To choose insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Montana, click here.
It’s not one size fits all
When choosing proper insurance coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a best way to insure your cars. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. These are some specific questions may help you determine whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
- How much underlying liability do I need for an umbrella policy?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- What are Montana no-fault laws?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?
- Should I file a claim if it’s only slightly more than my deductible?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or you can also visit this page to select a carrier
Can you really save $450 a year?
Auto insurance providers like Progressive, Allstate and Geico continually stream television and radio advertisements. They all say the same thing that you’ll save big after switching your policy. How can each company make the same claim?
All the different companies have a preferred profile for the driver they prefer to insure. For example, a desirable insured might be between 30 and 50, insures multiple vehicles, and has great credit. A propective insured who matches those parameters will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Potential insureds who don’t qualify for the “perfect” profile will be quoted higher rates which leads to business not being written. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why companies can make the claims of big savings.
This emphasizes why you need to get as many quotes as possible. Because you never know the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Auto insurance coverage considerations
Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and coverage can change by endorsement. Below you’ll find the normal coverages available from auto insurance companies.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance can cover damage that occurs to a person or their property. Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and property damage coverage for $25,000. Some companies may use a combined limit which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability insurance covers things like loss of income, funeral expenses, structural damage, pain and suffering and emergency aid. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as much as you can afford. Montana requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.
Medical payments and PIP coverage
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage provide coverage for bills for things like prosthetic devices, doctor visits, nursing services, chiropractic care and rehabilitation expenses. They can be used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover all vehicle occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. PIP is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Collision coverage protection
This coverage covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage pays for claims like hitting a mailbox, crashing into a building and colliding with another moving vehicle. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible to bring the cost down.
UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many Montana drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (which is 25/50/10), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important. Usually these coverages are set the same as your liablity limits.
Comprehensive auto coverage
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for things like hail damage, hitting a deer, damage from flooding and a broken windshield. The maximum amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Quote often and quote early
Affordable auto insurance can be purchased from both online companies in addition to many Culbertson insurance agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best rate selection. Some companies do not provide online quoting and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In many instances, an accident victim reduced collision coverage only to find out they didn’t have enough coverage. Your aim should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.
Montana auto insurance information
Additional information can be read on the website for the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance found here. Visitors are able to read industry bulletins, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read state legal mandates and laws.
Other useful links include Wikipedia and this list of insurance agents in Culbertson.