Perplexed by the number of auto insurance companies in Wausau? You’re not alone. People have so many choices that it can easily become a big hassle to compare prices.
It’s a good idea to do rate comparisons quite often because insurance rates trend upward over time. Even if you got the lowest rates a year ago other companies may now be cheaper. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to one of the quickest ways to save money, get proper deductibles and limits, all at the lowest rate.
How to Compare Auto Insurance Costs in Wausau
There are a lot of ways to compare auto insurance quotes, but some are less labor-intensive and much quicker. You can waste a lot of time talking about coverages with insurance agencies in Wausau, or you could save time and use the internet to get pricing more quickly.
Most major companies take part in a program that allows shoppers to submit their information once, and each company then returns a price quote for coverage. This saves time by eliminating quote requests to each individual auto insurance company. To submit your quote information now, click to open in new window.
One minor caviat to using this type of form is that you can’t choose which providers you want pricing from. If you prefer to choose specific providers to request quotes from, we have assembled a list of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Wisconsin. Click here for list of insurance companies in Wisconsin.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just make absolute certain that you use identical coverages and limits for every quote you compare. If you use different values for each quote it will be next to impossible to determine the lowest rate in Wausau. Having just a slight variation in insurance coverages may result in large price differences. And when comparison shopping, getting more free quotes helps locate better pricing.
Discounts are great for lower rates
Companies that sell car insurance do not advertise every available discount very clearly, so we researched some of the more common and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.
- Student in College – Youth drivers who live away from home and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Keeping the miles down can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save 10% or more off your medical payments premium.
- More Vehicles More Savings – Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks with the same company qualifies for this discount.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Larger companies have lower rates if you buy life insurance from them.
- Safe Driver Discount – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than drivers with accidents.
- Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with a few auto insurance companies.
- E-sign – A few companies will give a small break just for signing your application on their website.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire policy premium. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, it just doesn’t work that way.
Comparing rates from local agents
Certain consumers just want to buy from a licensed agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this quick form, the quote information is immediately sent to insurance agents in Wausau who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. There is no need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox. How cool is that?! You can find better rates AND a local agent.
Choosing an insurer requires more thought than just the price. These questions are important to ask:
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
- Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
Not all auto insurance agents are the same
When finding a good insurance agency, there are two types of agencies that you can select. Agents are either captive or independent (non-captive).
Captive Agents
These agents can only place business with one company like AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. Captives cannot shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives mostly because of loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.
Below is a list of captive insurance agents in Wausau who can help you get price quotes.
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 2100 Stewart Ave # 145 – Wausau, WI 54401 – (715) 848-2981
- State Farm Insurance – 2600 Stewart Ave – Wausau, WI 54401 – (715) 842-0661
- American Family Insurance – 2100 Grand Ave – Wausau, WI 54403 – (715) 845-8251
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies and potentially find a lower price. If your agent finds better pricing, an independent agent can move your coverage without you having to go to a different agency. When shopping rates, we recommend you include price quotes from at least one independent agent for the best price selection. They often place coverage with smaller companies which can save you money.
Below is a list of independent agencies in Wausau that are able to give comparison quotes.
- Jeff Canniff Agency Inc – 110 S 3rd Ave – Wausau, WI 54401 – (715) 842-5262
- Peter Sells Agency – 2600 Stewart Ave – Wausau, WI 54401 – (715) 843-0040
- Wausau Insurance Co – 2000 Westwood Dr – Wausau, WI 54401 – (715) 845-5211
- Insurance Associates – 101 Grand Ave # 600 – Wausau, WI 54403 – (715) 848-5424
- Lori Kulpinski Agency LLC – 210 Mcclellan St # 305 – Wausau, WI 54403 – (715) 845-2477
For a complete listing of insurance agents in Wausau, simply jump to this page.
After getting positive feedback and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that will properly insure your vehicles.
It’s not one size fits all
When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique.
These are some specific questions might point out whether or not you might need professional guidance.
- Does my vehicle qualify for pleasure use?
- What are the financial responsibility laws in Wisconsin?
- Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
- Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
- Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
If you’re not sure about those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, complete this form.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be read at the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance website. Visitors are able to report car insurance fraud, learn about specific coverages, and discover disciplinary actions.
Auto insurance coverage breakdown
Knowing the specifics of your auto insurance policy can be of help when determining the best coverages for your vehicles. Auto insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Comprehensive insurance
This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as vandalism, rock chips in glass, falling objects and damage from flooding. The maximum payout a auto insurance company will pay at claim time is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.
Liability coverages
Liability insurance provides protection from injuries or damage you cause to people or other property in an accident. It 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. You commonly see limits of 100/300/100 which means a $100,000 limit per person for injuries, a limit of $300,000 in injury protection per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000.
Liability coverage protects against claims such as funeral expenses, structural damage and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is your choice, but consider buying higher limits if possible. Wisconsin requires drivers to carry at least 50,000/100,000/55,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.
Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for immediate expenses like ambulance fees, hospital visits, X-ray expenses, rehabilitation expenses and prosthetic devices. They are utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover you and your occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage gives you protection when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Wisconsin drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (which is 50/100/55), their limits can quickly be used up. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is very important.
Collision coverage protection
Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision can pay for claims such as damaging your car on a curb, crashing into a ditch and hitting a mailbox. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from vehicles that are older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to bring the cost down.
Affordable insurance is out there
Insureds who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including delays in responding to claim requests, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, poor customer service or even questionable increases in premium. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new company can be less work than you think.
The cheapest auto insurance can be purchased online and with local Wausau insurance agents, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s very important that you do not buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.