If online car insurance comparisons are new to you, it’s easy to get confused by the vast number of companies vying for business in Chandler.
It’s important to get comparison quotes once or twice a year because insurance rates change frequently. Even if you think you had the best deal last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. You can find a lot of wrong information about car insurance on the web, but I’m going to show you some proven techniques to save money.
The purpose of this article is to teach you the best way to quote coverages and some tips to save money. If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to lower your premiums substantially using this strategy. Arizona drivers only need to know the proper methods to buy car insurance over the internet.
Cheap Chandler Car Insurance Comparisons
Cutting your Chandler car insurance rates isn’t really that difficult. You just have to spend a few minutes on the computer to get quotes from different insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- The fastest way to find the lowest comparison rates is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form prevents you from having to do separate forms for each company you want a rate for. One form submission gets you price quotes from multiple low-cost companies. Recommended for those who want to invest the least amount of time.
- A more difficult way to get quotes online is to take the time to go to each individual company website to request a price quote. For example, let’s say you want rates from Liberty Mutual, Farmers and American Family. You would have to spend time on each company’s site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Chandler, click here.
- The least recommended method to compare rates is to waste gas driving to local Chandler insurance agencies. Buying insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. However, consumers can comparison shop online but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just make absolute certain that you use apples-to-apples coverage information for each comparison quote. If you use different liability limits you can’t possibly determine which rate is truly the best in Chandler.
Are you falling for claims of savings?
Consumers constantly see and hear ads that promise big savings by 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm. They all say the same thing that you can save if you move to their company.
But how can every company make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the driver that makes them money. For instance, a profitable customer might be profiled as over the age of 40, is a homeowner, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured who meets those qualifications gets the lowest rates and therefore will save when they switch companies.
Potential insureds who don’t qualify for these standards must pay higher prices and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that kind of money. That’s why insurance companies can make the claims of big savings.
This illustrates why drivers must get quotes from several different companies. You cannot predict the company that will give you the biggest savings.
Discounts are available to cut your rates
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but discounts can save money and there are some available to help offset the cost. A few discounts will automatically apply at the time you complete a quote, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked about before being credited. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Early Switch Discount – A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. It’s a savings of about 10%.
- Club Memberships – Participating in a professional or civic organization could trigger savings when shopping for car insurance.
- Driver Safety – Successfully completing a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles equipped with air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
- Multiple Vehicles – Buying coverage for multiple vehicles with the same company can get a discount on all vehicles.
As a disclaimer on discounts, most credits do not apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because you may think you would end up receiving a 100% discount, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts will reduce your overall premium however.
To choose insurers offering car insurance discounts in Chandler, click here.
Compare online but buy from a local Chandler agent
Some consumers prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is just fine! Good agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of price shopping on the web is you can get the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. Buying from small agencies is especially important in Chandler.
For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is sent to participating agents in Chandler who will give you bids for your coverage. There is no need to leave your house since price quotes are sent to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!
Types of auto insurance agents in Chandler
When looking for local Chandler agents, there are two types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agencies in Chandler can either be captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it can impact the type of agent you choose
Independent Agents
These agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with any number of different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.
Shown below are Chandler independent insurance agencies that may be able to provide pricing information.
- Les Copeland Lee Agency Inc – 5865 W Ray Rd # 5 – Chandler, AZ 85226 – (480) 753-1500
- David Klatt Agency Inc – 2020 N Arizona Ave # G54 – Chandler, AZ 85225 – (480) 753-5022
- Michael W Bott Insurance – 1727 N Arizona Ave # 4 – Chandler, AZ 85225 – (480) 963-5622
- Sunny Insurance – 920 N Arizona Ave # 3 – Chandler, AZ 85225 – (480) 752-8596
- Mike Pinta Agency – 5505 W Chandler Blvd # 19 – Chandler, AZ 85226 – (480) 785-1545
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents can only place business with one company like Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They are unable to give you multiple price quotes so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. These agents receive extensive training on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Consumers frequently choose to use a captive agent primarily because of loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.
Listed below is a short list of captive agencies in Chandler who can help you get price quotes.
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 820 W Warner Rd # 110 – Chandler, AZ 85225 – (480) 732-1491
- Farmers Insurance Group – 2370 W Ray Rd # 1 – Chandler, AZ 85224 – (480) 820-8377
- State Farm Insurance – 4980 S Alma School Rd # A6 – Chandler, AZ 85248 – (480) 792-9468
- American Family Agency – 2420 W Ray Rd – Chandler, AZ 85224 – (480) 726-7066
- Allstate Insurance Co – 3800 S Alma School Rd # 119 – Chandler, AZ 85248 – (480) 899-1999
For a complete listing of captive insurance agents in Chandler, click here to link.
Deciding on an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. These questions are important to ask:
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- How long has their agency been in business in Chandler?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
Once you have answers to your satisfaction and locked in a price quote, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to provide car insurance coverage.
Car insurance is unique, just like you
When choosing adequate coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Each situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that might point out if your insurance needs may require specific advice.
- Do I need roadside assistance coverage?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Does my policy pay for OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
- Does my insurance cover my expensive audio equipment?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.
Parts of your car insurance policy
Having a good grasp of your car insurance policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
This coverage provides protection from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your vehicle.
Due to the fact that many Arizona drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (Arizona limits are 15/30/10), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea. Normally these limits are similar to your liability insurance amounts.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for things like a tree branch falling on your vehicle, hitting a deer, theft and falling objects. The maximum payout your car insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Collision protection
Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from a collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision coverage protects against things like sideswiping another vehicle, crashing into a ditch and colliding with a tree. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical expense insurance
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for bills for things like doctor visits, ambulance fees, hospital visits and X-ray expenses. They are used in conjunction with a health insurance plan or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover you and your occupants and will also cover getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Liability coverages
Liability coverage provides protection from damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
It consists of three limits, bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Another option is a combined single limit or CSL which limits claims to one amount without having the split limit caps.
Liability insurance covers things such as loss of income, structural damage, court costs and repair costs for stationary objects. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as much as you can afford. Arizona requires drivers to carry at least 15,000/30,000/10,000 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.
More information can be read on the Arizona Department of Insurance website found here. Consumers can file complaints about a company, view agent and company licensing information, find a variety of consumer forms, and find disaster information.
A little work can save a LOT of money
Drivers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including an unsatisfactory settlement offer, questionable increases in premium, lack of trust in their agent and high prices. It doesn’t matter what your reason, choosing a new company is not as hard as you think.
Affordable car insurance is possible from both online companies and with local Chandler insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both to have the best rate selection. Some car insurance companies do not offer online quoting and these regional insurance providers work with independent agents.
As you restructure your insurance plan, make sure you don’t buy poor coverage just to save money. There are too many instances where drivers have reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret at claim time that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.