I can’t think of anyone who looks forward to paying for auto insurance, particularly when the price is too high. Online insurance companies like Geico and Progressive continually bombard you with ad campaigns and it is difficult to see through the cute green geckos and mayhem and find the best price available.
How to Get Auto Insurance in Bozeman, MT
Most companies like State Farm, Geico and Progressive allow you to get coverage price quotes on their websites. The process doesn’t take much effort as you simply type in your coverage preferences as requested by the quote form. Upon sending the form, their rating system obtains your driving record and credit report and provides a quote based on these and other factors. Quoting online makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the process of having to visit each company’s website and repetitively enter the same data into a form can get tiresome after awhile. Unfortunately, it is important to do this if you are searching for the best price possible.
The easiest way to find better auto insurance pricing makes use of a single form that gets prices from a bunch of companies at once. The form is fast, requires less work, and makes rate comparisons much more enjoyable and efficient. As soon as the form is sent, it gets priced and you can choose any or none of the resulting price quotes. If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, you can simply submit the application and buy the policy. This process takes less than 15 minutes and could lower your rates considerably.
To save time and find out if lower rates are available, click here and enter your information. If you have your current policy handy, we recommend you input as shown on your current policy. Using the same limits helps guarantee you are getting rate comparison quotes for similar insurance coverage.
Don’t miss out on these money-saving discounts
Companies that sell car insurance don’t list all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we break down some of the best known as well as the least known auto insurance savings. If they aren’t giving you every credit available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Low mileage vehicles could be rewarded with a substantially lower rate.
- Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and will save you 10% or more.
- Lower Rates for Military – Being deployed with a military unit could be rewarded with lower premiums.
- Memberships – Being a member of certain professional organizations may earn a discount on your policy.
- New Vehicle Savings – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can cost up to 25% less because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- Save over 55 – If you qualify as a senior citizen, you may qualify for a discount up to 10%.
- Paperwork-free – A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application digitally online.
- Discount for Swiching Early – Select companies give a discount for buying a policy before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
- Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class in high school.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like all the discounts add up to a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
To see a list of providers with discount auto insurance rates in Montana, click here.
Lower your Bozeman Auto Insurance Rates
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that play a part in calculating your auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with big savings.
Shown below are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine rates.
- Your credit rating is important – Credit history is a huge factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. So if your credit score is not that good, you could be paying less to insure your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have high credit ratings tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims than drivers with lower credit scores.
- Theft deterrents lower rates – Driving a car with a theft deterrent system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention devices like vehicle immobilizer systems, General Motors OnStar and LoJack tracking systems all hinder car theft.
- Rates may be lower depending on your job – Did you know that where you work can have an impact on rates? Occupations such as judges, social workers and accountants tend to have higher rates than average due to job stress and long work hours. On the flip side, jobs such as farmers, athletes and homemakers receive lower rates.
- Cautious drivers pay less – Your driving citation history impacts your car insurance rates tremendously. Just one citation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who have severe citations like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to drive a vehicle legally.
- Your age impacts your rates – Older drivers are viewed as being more responsible, file fewer claims and receive fewer citations. Teen drivers tend to be more careless behind the wheel and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
Shop online but buy locally
Some people would prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Educated insurance agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is you can get the lowest rates and still choose a local agent.
After completing this quick form, your coverage information is instantly submitted to participating agents in Bozeman who will compete for your coverage. You never need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!
Deciding on a company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- How long has their agency been in business in Bozeman?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
Best car insurance agent in Bozeman
When researching a reputable insurance agent or broker, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that you can select. Bozeman agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive). While both can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they differ because it can influence your selection of an agent.
Agency Captives
These agents can only write with one company such as Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. They are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.
When comparing rates, you should always include price quotes from several independent insurance agents to ensure the widest selection of prices.
Shown below are independent insurance agents in Bozeman that are able to give price quote information.
Marie Gary Agency – 1920 W Babcock St – Bozeman, MT 59718 – (406) 586-3330
Independent Insurance Svc – 104 E Main St # 1 – Bozeman, MT 59715 – (406) 587-0422
Lanphear Insurance – 821 W Mendenhall St – Bozeman, MT 59715 – (406) 586-5449
To view a full list of Bozeman insurance agents, go to this page.
After getting positive responses for all questions you ask and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide auto insurance.
More detailed Montana auto insurance information can be found at the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website. Montana drivers can download brochures, file complaints about a company, view a list of available companies, and find out industry alerts.
Smart shoppers get results
Discount auto insurance is definitely available both online and also from your neighborhood Bozeman agents, and you should compare price quotes from both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some auto insurance companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these small, regional companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. Too many times, an insured dropped liability coverage limits only to discover later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to get the best coverage possible at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.