Having to pay for overpriced auto insurance can take a big chunk out of your checking account, especially in this economy. Doing a price comparison is a great way to make sure you’re not throwing money away. Many car insurance companies compete to insure your vehicles, and because of this it can be hard to compare insurers to discover the definitive lowest cost out there.
If you have insurance now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates and possibly find even better coverage. Choosing the best insurance company for you in Orland Park is not rocket science. Illinois drivers just need to learn the most efficient way to get comparison quotes over the internet.
Are you getting all your discounts?
Auto insurance companies do not advertise all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so here is a list some of the best known and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Organization Discounts – Being a member of a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break when buying auto insurance.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
- Anti-theft System – Anti-theft and alarm systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Sign Online – Certain companies will give a small break simply for signing digitally online.
- Federal Government Employee – Active or retired federal employment can earn a discount up to 10% with certain companies.
Keep in mind that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Some only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like all the discounts add up to a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.
To see a list of insurance companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Illinois, click here to view.
Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage
When buying proper insurance coverage, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Every insured’s situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. For instance, these questions can aid in determining whether or not you may require specific advice.
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- How much liability coverage do I need in Illinois?
- What can I do if my company denied a claim?
- At what point should I drop full coverage?
- Why am I be forced to buy a membership to get insurance from some companies?
- Is my vehicle covered for smoke damage?
- Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
- How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in Illinois?
If you’re not sure about those questions then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Online quotes with a local Orland Park insurance agent
Some people prefer to talk to a local agent. Professional agents can point out coverage gaps and give you peace of mind. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find better rates and still have an agent to talk to.
By using this simple form, your insurance data is transmitted to participating agents in Orland Park who will battle for your insurance coverage. There is no reason to drive around due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!
Deciding on an insurer should depend on more than just a cheap price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Does the agency support the community they serve?
- Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Illinois?
The different types of insurance agents
When finding an insurance agent, there are two different agency structures to choose from. Orland Park agents can either be independent (non-captive) or captive. While both can do a good job, but it’s good to learn the differences since it can impact your agent selection.
Captive Agents
Captive insurance agents work for only one company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. They are trained well on the products they sell which can be an advantage.
Below are Orland Park captive agencies willing to provide comparison quotes.
Farmers Insurance Group – 9131 W 151st St – Orland Park, IL 60462 – (708) 460-9040
American Family Insurance – 14475 John Humphrey Dr # 150 – Orland Park, IL 60462 – (708) 460-1660
Allstate Insurance – 8925 W 159th St – Orland Park, IL 60462 – (708) 460-0019
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices.
The following are Orland Park independent insurance agencies that can give you comparison quotes.
Dave Martino Agency – 9567 W 144th Pl – Orland Park, IL 60462 – (708) 349-5066
Country Insurance and Financial – 11056 W 179th St – Orland Park, IL 60467 – (708) 489-2886
American Builders Insurance – 1200 Ravinia Pl – Orland Park, IL 60462 – (708) 460-9556
To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Orland Park, view this link.
After getting reasonable responses to all your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that meets your needs to insure your vehicles.
Additional detailed information can be read at the Illinois Department of Insurance website. Illinois consumers can find disaster information, find a variety of consumer forms, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.
Auto insurance policy specifics
Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. These are the normal coverages offered by auto insurance companies.
Liability – This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property by causing an accident. This insurance protects YOU against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see liability limits of 50/100/50 that translate to a limit of $50,000 per injured person, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $50,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability can pay for things such as repair costs for stationary objects, pain and suffering, funeral expenses and bail bonds. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as large an amount as possible. Illinois state minimum liability requirements are 20,000/40,000/15,000 but drivers should carry more coverage.
UM/UIM Coverage – This coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. This coverage pays for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your vehicle.
Since many Illinois drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (Illinois limits are 20/40/15), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.
Comprehensive or Other Than Collision – Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage that is not covered by collision coverage. A deductible will apply then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as rock chips in glass, falling objects, vandalism and damage from flooding. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Collision coverages – Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another car or object. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers things like hitting a mailbox, scraping a guard rail, crashing into a ditch, colliding with a tree and backing into a parked car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Medical costs insurance – Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for expenses such as dental work, prosthetic devices and doctor visits. They are used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
One last thing about your coverage
The cheapest auto insurance can be purchased online and with local Orland Park insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and usually these smaller companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
We just showed you many ways to shop for auto insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers may even find the lowest rates come from an unexpected company. Smaller companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates as compared to the big name companies such as State Farm and Allstate.
When buying insurance coverage, it’s not a good idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many instances, consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to regret that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to get the best coverage possible at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.