Perplexed by the dozens of auto insurance company choices in North Branford? Many other drivers are as well. Consumers have so many choices that it can turn into a real hassle to find the lowest price.
If you have car insurance now, you will most likely be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. This article will instruct you on how to effectively get price quotes. But Connecticut vehicle owners do need to know how the larger insurance companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.
Automobile Insurance Quotes in North Branford
There are several ways to compare auto insurance prices but one way is easier and takes less work. You could spend the better part of a day driving to insurance agencies in North Branford, or you can stay home and use online quoting to get rates in a matter of minutes.
Many companies participate in an industry program that allows shoppers to submit one quote, and at least one company can give them a price for coverage. This system prevents you from having to do repetitive form submissions for each company you want a rate for.
To submit your quote information now, click to open in new window.
One minor caviat to getting quotes like this is that you can’t choose which carriers to get quotes from. So if you want to choose specific providers to compare rates, we have a listing of the cheapest auto insurance companies in Connecticut. Click to view list.
Which method you use is up to you, but ensure you are comparing the exact same coverage limits for each price quote. If you use higher or lower deductibles you will not be able to make a fair comparison in North Branford. Quoting even small variations in coverage limits may cause a big price difference. It’s important to know that quoting more gives you a better chance of getting a lower rate.
Save 15 percent in 15 minutes? Is it for real?
Auto insurance providers like State Farm and Allstate constantly bombard you with ads on television and other media. They all make the same claim of big savings if you switch to them. How do they all say the same thing? This is how they do it.
All companies are able to cherry pick for the driver that is profitable for them. A good example of a profitable customer could possibly be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. A customer who meets those qualifications will qualify for the lowest rates and most likely will save a lot of money.
Consumers who do not match these standards will have to pay a higher premium and ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “customers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much money. That is how insurance companies can advertise the savings.
Because of the profiling, it is so important to get quotes from several different companies. It’s just too difficult to predict which auto insurance company will have the lowest rates.
Get Cheaper Rates by Understanding Pricing
Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what influences your rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with better auto insurance rates.
Shown below are a partial list of the pieces used by your company to calculate rates.
- Type of vehicle determines base rates – The type of car you are insuring makes a substantial difference in your rates. The lowest base rates are generally reserved for economy passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
- Clean credit earns discounts – Your credit rating is a huge factor in determining your rates. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers who have lower credit ratings. If your credit score can use some improvement, you could pay less to insure your by repairing your credit.
- Higher deductibles cost less – Insurance for physical damage to your car, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. A few examples of covered claims would be collision with another vehicle, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend out-of-pocket before your auto insurance pays a claim. The more you have to pay, the less your auto insurance will be.
- Pleasure use saves money – Driving more miles each year the more you will pay for auto insurance. Most insurance companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Autos not used for work or commuting can get a lower rate as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Ask your agent if your auto insurance coverage is rated on the proper vehicle usage, because it can save money.
- Careful drivers pay lower rates – Whether or not you get tickets has a huge affect on how much you pay. Good drivers get better rates compared to drivers with tickets. Even a single citation can increase rates forty percent or more. Drivers with flagrant tickets like DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions are required to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to keep their license.
- Your auto insurance rates can be influenced by your job – Jobs such as lawyers, social workers and stock brokers tend to have the highest rates attributed to high stress and long work hours. On the other hand, professions such as scientists, students and the unemployed receive lower rates.
- Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Purchasing a vehicle with an alarm system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices like LoJack tracking devices, vehicle tamper alarm systems or GM’s OnStar system all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.
Discounts are available to cut your rates
The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there are discounts available that you may not even be aware of. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied at the time of purchase, but some may not be applied and must be specially asked for prior to getting the savings.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems can help prevent theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Multi-policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with one company you may earn 10% to 20% off each policy.
- Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiration. This can save 10% or more.
- Senior Discount – If you’re over the age of 55, you may qualify for a small decrease in premiums.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts can save up to 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
- No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies allow you one accident without raising rates if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
- No Accidents – Claim-free drivers pay less as compared to frequent claim filers.
- Memberships – Being a member of a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break on your policy.
Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to your bottom line cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So despite the fact that it appears all those discounts means the company will pay you, you’re out of luck. Any qualifying discounts will help reduce your overall premium however.
To see a list of companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Connecticut, click here.
Everyone needs different coverages
When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no one size fits all plan. Everyone’s needs are different.
For example, these questions can aid in determining whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
- Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
- Who is covered when they drive my vehicle?
- Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
- Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
- Should I buy additional glass protection?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
If you’re not sure about those questions, you may need to chat with an agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.
Final thoughts
When trying to cut insurance costs, it’s very important that you do not skimp on coverage in order to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice physical damage coverage only to discover later that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price while still protecting your assets.
Low-cost auto insurance can be sourced online and also from your neighborhood North Branford agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. Some companies may not provide online quoting and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.
Drivers leave their current company for any number of reasons including lack of trust in their agent, policy non-renewal, delays in paying claims and poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new insurance company can be easy and end up saving you some money.
Much more information about auto insurance in Connecticut can be read on the Connecticut Insurance Department website located here. Consumers can file complaints about a company, find out which companies have the most complaints, and learn about insurance regulations.