Overwhelmed by the sheer number of auto insurance options in Colonie? You have a lot of company. Drivers have so many options available that it can be more work than you anticipated to locate the lowest price.
It’s a good habit to do rate comparisons occasionally because prices tend to go up over time. Just because you found the best price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the only way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.
If you have a policy now or need new coverage, you will benefit by learning to find the best rates while maximizing coverage. Finding the cheapest auto insurance in Colonie can be fairly easy. New York drivers just need to understand the most effective way to shop over the internet.
Colonie Auto Insurance Comparisons
All major auto insurance companies allow you to get coverage price quotes on their websites. The process is quite easy as you just type in your coverage preferences into the quote form. After the form is submitted, their system sends out for credit information and your driving record and returns pricing information.
Quoting online makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the process of having to visit different websites and fill out multiple forms gets old quite quickly. Unfortunately, it is important to have as many quotes as possible in order to get better auto insurance pricing.
Compare rates the easy way
An easier way to find cheaper rates uses one simple form that obtains quotes from many companies. This type of form saves time, reduces the work, and makes price shopping online much simpler. As soon as the form is sent, it gets priced and you can choose any one of the quote results. If a lower price is quoted, you can click and sign and purchase coverage. The whole process takes 15 minutes at the most and you will find out if you’re overpaying now.
In order to find out how much you can save on auto insurance, simply click here to open in new window and submit your coverage information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend that you enter the coverages as shown on your current policy. This makes sure you are getting rate comparison quotes for the exact same coverage.
Be sure to get all your discounts
Companies that sell car insurance don’t always advertise every discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both the well known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Pay Upfront and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront rather than paying monthly you could save up to 5%.
- No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free for a set time period.
- Bundle and Save – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
- Homeowners Savings – Being a homeowner can help you save on auto insurance because maintaining a house is proof that your finances are in order.
- Defensive Driver – Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills could possibly earn you a 5% discount depending on where you live.
It’s important to understand that most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. Just because it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, you won’t be that lucky.
For a list of insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in Colonie, click this link.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When it comes to choosing proper insurance coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.
For instance, these questions may help highlight if your situation would benefit from professional advice.
- Who is covered by my policy?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
- Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
- What is the minimum liability in New York?
- Am I covered if I wreck a rental car?
- When should I not file a claim?
- Is my business laptop covered if it gets stolen from my vehicle?
- Does my car insurance cover rental cars?
- If my vehicle is totaled, can I afford another vehicle?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but a few of them apply then you might want to talk to an insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It is quick, free and can help protect your family.
Detailed coverages of your auto insurance policy
Understanding the coverages of a auto insurance policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and coverage can change by endorsement.
Medical expense insurance – Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance kick in for short-term medical expenses like funeral costs, hospital visits, nursing services and prosthetic devices. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and will also cover any family member struck as a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers – Your UM/UIM coverage gives you protection from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many New York drivers only purchase the least amount of liability that is required (25/50/10), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision) – This coverage covers damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims such as damage from getting keyed, hail damage, damage from a tornado or hurricane and vandalism. The maximum payout 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 coverage – This pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision insurance covers claims such as backing into a parked car, colliding with another moving vehicle and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from older vehicles. You can also choose a higher deductible to bring the cost down.
Auto liability insurance – Liability coverage protects you from damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people by causing an accident. Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. Your policy might show policy limits of 50/100/50 that translate to $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, $100,000 for the entire accident, and a limit of $50,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability coverage protects against claims like pain and suffering, medical services, attorney fees, funeral expenses and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a decision to put some thought into, but you should buy as high a limit as you can afford. New York state minimum liability requirements are 25,000/50,000/10,000 but drivers should carry better liability coverage.
Better coverage you can count on
Cheap auto insurance is attainable on the web and with local Colonie insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer online price quotes and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.
Drivers who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, denial of a claim, policy non-renewal or even being labeled a high risk driver. Whatever your reason, choosing a new company can be less work than you think.
While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many situations where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage only to find out that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.
Even more information is available at the New York Department of Financial Services website. New York drivers can learn about insurance regulations, download brochures, and file complaints about a company.