I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to buying auto insurance, particularly when their premiums are too high.
Insurance companies such as Progressive, Geico and Farmers Insurance persitently shower you with advertising and it is challenging if not impossible to ignore the propoganda and find the best price available.
Consumers need to shop coverage around quite often since rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Just because you found the lowest rates a couple years back there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the quickest way to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.
Vehicle Insurance Comparison
Performing a rate comparison can be challenging if you aren’t aware of the easiest way. You can waste a few hours (or days) driving to insurance companies in Plano, or you can utilize online quotes to achieve your goal.
Many insurance companies participate in a marketplace that allows shoppers to enter their coverage request one time, and each company can give them a price based on that information. This system prevents you from having to do form submissions for each company.
To compare pricing click to open in new window.
The one downside to pricing coverage this way is you cannot specify the insurers you will receive quotes from. So if you want to select specific providers to compare rates, we have a listing of auto insurance companies in Texas. Click to view list.
Whichever method you choose, ensure you are comparing apples-to-apples coverage information with every price quote. If each company quotes higher or lower deductibles you will not be able to make a fair comparison in Plano. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages may result in a large different in cost. Keep in mind that quoting more helps you find the best price.
Save $406 a year. For real?
Companies like Allstate, Geico and Progressive continually stream ads on television and other media. All the ads have a common claim that you can save after switching your policy. How can each company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.
Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. A good example of a desirable insured might be a mature driver, owns a home, and chooses high deductibles. A customer getting a price quote who fits that profile will get very good rates and therefore will cut their rates substantially.
Potential insureds who don’t measure up to these standards will be quoted a higher premium and ends up with the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much. That’s why companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why you should get as many quotes as possible. Because you never know which insurance companies will have the lowest rates.
Informed Drivers can Cut Their Rates
Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.
- Where you reside plays a part – Choosing to live in a rural area can be a good thing when talking about auto insurance. Less people living in that area translates into fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate. Drivers in populated Texas areas have much more traffic to deal with and much longer commute distances. More time commuting translates into higher accident risk.
- Discounts for multiple policies – Some companies provide better rates to people who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. If you currently are using one company, it’s in your best interest to compare other company rates to make sure you are getting the best deal.
- Traffic violations increase rates – Your driving record has a huge affect on how much you pay. Even a single citation can boost insurance rates by as much as thirty percent. Careful drivers receive lower rates than bad drivers. Drivers who get serious violations like reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may be required to submit a SR-22 or proof of financial responsibility with their state DMV in order to continue driving.
- Adjust deductibles and save – Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, protects your car from damage. Some examples of claims that would be covered could be a windshield shattered by a rock, collision with an animal, and burglary. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more the insured has to pay upfront, the lower your rates will be.
- More performance means more cost – The type of vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a big difference in determining your rates. Small economy passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
- Discounts for married couples – Getting married actually saves money on auto insurance. Having a spouse means you’re more mature it has been statistically shown that married couples file fewer claims.
- Policy add-ons can waste money – There are a lot of additional coverages that you can get tricked into buying if you aren’t careful. Coverages for rental car reimbursement, accidental death and membership fees are some examples. They may seem like a good idea at first, but your needs may have changed so eliminate them to save money.
Do you qualify for discounts?
Car insurance companies don’t necessarily list all their discounts very well, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and the more hidden ways to save on auto insurance.
- Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit may qualify for rate reductions.
- Payment Discounts – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
- Passive Restraints – Cars that have air bags can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
- Defensive Driving Course – Successfully completing a driver safety course could cut 5% off your bill if your company offers it.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance.
- Student Driver Training – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to take driver’s ed class in high school.
- Discount for Good Grades – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The good student discount can last until age 25.
- Drive Safe and Save – Drivers who don’t get into accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than drivers with accident claims.
Drivers should understand that most discount credits are not given to the entire cost. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comp or med pay. Just because it seems like you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it just doesn’t work that way.
To choose insurers offering auto insurance discounts in Plano, follow this link.
Your personal situation dictates your coverage
When it comes to buying adequate coverage, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique and your policy should reflect that. Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your situation would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- How much liability coverage do I need in Texas?
- How many claims can I have before being cancelled?
- Do I need to file an SR-22 for a DUI in Texas?
- Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
- When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with 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.
Are insurance agents a thing of the past?
Some consumers would rather buy from a local agent and that is OK! The best thing about getting online price quotes is that you can obtain better rates and still choose a local agent.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this simple form, your coverage information is emailed to local insurance agents in Plano who will give you bids to get your business. You never need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent to your email. Now that’s easy! It’s the lowest rates AND a local agent.
Deciding on an insurance company shouldn’t rely on just the bottom line cost. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
Insurance agent types
If you’re trying to find local Plano agents, there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Agencies in Plano can either be captive or independent (non-captive).
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents can only place business with one company like Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
The following is a list of captive agents in Plano who can help you get rate quotes.
State Farm Insurance – 3501 Midway Rd # 240 – Plano, TX 75093 – (972) 378-5885
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 3516 Preston Rd # 800 – Plano, TX 75093 – (972) 867-3499
Farmers Insurance Group – 4011 W Plano Pkwy – Plano, TX 75093 – (972) 769-9136
Allstate Insurance – 6009 W Parker Rd # 137 – Plano, TX 75093 – (972) 473-6868
Farm Bureau Insurance – 3209 Premier Dr # 130 – Plano, TX 75075 – (972) 881-0044
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
These agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents for the best price selection.
Below is a short list of independent agents in Plano willing to provide price quotes.
Lonestar Insurance – 3401 Custer Rd # 114 – Plano, TX 75023 – (972) 769-0855
Haskins Agency – 8829 Clear Sky Dr – Plano, TX 75025 – (972) 747-0458
Hal L Harbor Agency – 2329 Coit Rd # D – Plano, TX 75075 – (972) 612-1788
Southern States Insurance Inc – – Plano, TX 75093 – (972) 985-1267
Foster Agency – 6505 W Park Blvd # 312 – Plano, TX 75093 – (972) 378-5433
To view a full list of licensed insurance agents in Plano, please view this page.
Upon getting answers to your satisfaction to these questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that is a good match to insure your vehicles.
What is YOUR best insurance company?
You just learned many ideas to reduce auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more times you quote, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may even find the lowest premiums are with some of the smallest insurance companies. Some small companies can often provide lower rates in certain areas as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, Geico and Progressive.
Lower-priced auto insurance is available from both online companies and also from your neighborhood Plano agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can download brochures, view agent and company licensing information, and read state legal mandates and laws.
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