Overwhelmed by the crazy number of auto insurance companies in Grand Prairie? You have a lot of company. You have so many companies to choose from that it can be a lot of work to find the best price.
You need to compare rates at least once a year since rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. If you had the best rates a couple years back you will most likely find a better rate today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because you’re about to find out the quickest way to find the best coverage while lowering your premiums.
Compare Quotes for Grand Prairie Auto Insurance
Cutting your auto insurance rates is not rocket science. You just need to take time to get quotes online with multiple companies. This can be done in several different ways.
- The best way consumers can make multiple comparisons is a comparison rater form click here to open form in new window. This method saves time by eliminating separate quote forms for every auto insurance company. One form will get you rate comparisons instantly. Just one form and you’re done.
- Another way to find lower rates requires a visit to each company website and request a quote. For examples sake, let’s say you want to compare Farmers, 21st Century and State Farm. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a list of links to insurance companies in Grand Prairie, click here.
- The most time-consuming way of getting rate comparisons is to waste gas driving to different agent offices. Shopping for auto insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional guidance that only a license agent can provide. Drivers can obtain prices from the web and still use a local agent. We’ll cover that shortly.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to compare apples-to-apples coverage information on every quote. If you have different values for each quote it’s impossible to find the best deal in Grand Prairie.
Switch companies and save? Really?
Texas drivers get pounded daily by advertisements that promise big savings from companies such as Progressive, Allstate and Geico. All the companies make the same claim about savings after switching your policy.
How can each company say the same thing?
Different companies have a preferred profile for the right customer that earns them a profit. An example of a driver they prefer might be over the age of 40, insures multiple vehicles, and has a high credit rating. A customer who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and therefore will pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Consumers who don’t meet these standards must pay higher premiums which leads to the customer not buying. Company advertisements say “customers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. That is how companies can advertise the way they do.
This illustrates why you should get quotes from several different companies. It’s just too difficult to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.
Save Money with These Tips
Consumers need to have an understanding of the rating factors that help determine the rates you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that could result in much lower annual insurance costs.
The following are a partial list of the pieces that factor into premiums.
- A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Letting your insurance expire will be a guaranteed way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will your rates increase, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance may earn you a license revocation or jail time.You may have to submit proof of financial responsibility or a SR-22 with the Texas DMV.
- Better credit scores mean better rates – Having a bad credit rating is a large factor in calculating your auto insurance rates. People with high credit ratings tend to be more responsible than drivers with lower ratings. Therefore, if your credit rating can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by repairing your credit.
- More people means more accidents – Choosing to live in less populated areas has it’s advantages when talking about auto insurance. Fewer people means a lower chance of having an accident. Drivers in populated Texas areas have congested traffic and much longer commute distances. More time commuting translates into higher accident risk.
- What type of vehicle do you drive? – The performance level of the vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in how high your rates are. Lower performance four cylinder passenger models receive the most favorable rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
- Traffic violations increase rates – Just one speeding ticket can boost insurance rates by twenty percent. Careful drivers get better rates than their less careful counterparts. Drivers who have dangerous citations such as reckless driving, hit and run or driving under the influence may need to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with their state DMV in order to prevent a license revocation.
- Younger drivers pay higher rates – More mature drivers tend to be more responsible, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets. Youthful drivers tend to get distracted easily when driving and because of this, their auto insurance rates are much higher.
- Increase deductibles and save – Physical damage insurance, commonly called comprehensive (or other-than-collision) and collision coverage, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply are collision with another vehicle, collision with an animal, or theft. The deductibles are the amount of money you are required to spend before a claim is paid by your company. The more money you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the bigger discount you will receive.
- Do you need the policy add-ons? – There are a lot of additional coverages you can purchase on your policy. Things like vanishing deductibles, better glass coverage and term life insurance are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment initially, but if they’re wasting money remove them from your policy.
Companies offer discounts so take them!
Insurance can be prohibitively expensive, but you can get discounts that you may not know about. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you purchase, but some must be specially asked for prior to receiving the credit. If you’re not getting every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles could qualify for a substantially lower rate.
- Homeowners Pay Less – Owning a house in Grand Prairie can help you save on auto insurance because owning a home shows financial diligence.
- Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for switching to them before your current policy expires. The savings is around 10%.
- Good Student – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. This discount can apply until age 25.
- Pay Now and Pay Less – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you can actually save on your bill.
- Safe Drivers – Safe drivers can pay as much as 50% less than drivers with accident claims.
- Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy a life insurance policy as well.
- Passive Restraint Discount – Factory air bags or motorized seat belts may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
- Accident Forgiveness – Certain companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
- Paperwork-free – Some insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks simply for signing online.
Consumers should know that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So even though they make it sound like all the discounts add up to a free policy, you’re out of luck. But all discounts will bring down your overall premium however.
Which policy gives me the best coverage?
When buying coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique.
For instance, these questions could help you determine if your situation may require specific advice.
- Is my nanny covered when driving my vehicle?
- Do I need special endorsements for business use of my vehicle?
- Should I sign the liability waiver when renting a car?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Does my personal policy cover me when driving my company car?
- Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
- Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
- Do no-fault laws apply in Texas?
- Why is insurance for a teen driver so high in Grand Prairie?
- How much liability coverage do I need in Texas?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form. It only takes a few minutes and can provide invaluable advice.
But buying car insurance online seems impersonal
A small number of people prefer to buy from a licensed agent. Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help you file claims. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local insurance agencies is especially important in Grand Prairie.
For easy comparison, once you complete this simple form, the coverage information is sent to companies in Grand Prairie who will battle to get your business. You never need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. How cool is that?!
The difference between Grand Prairie insurance agencies
When researching a local agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures to choose from. Agencies in Grand Prairie are either captive or independent. Both types can insure your vehicles, but it’s good to learn how they differ because it can impact your agent selection.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. To transfer your coverage to a different company, they simply move the coverage in-house without you having to go to a different agency.
When comparing rates, you should always include at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection. Many write coverage with smaller companies who may have lower rates.
Shown below is a list of independent agents in Grand Prairie who may be able to give you comparison quotes.
- Best-Rate Auto Insurance Inc – 1101 E Main St – Grand Prairie, TX 75050 – (972) 263-6400
- Firemark Insurance Agency – Dfw Office – Grand Prairie, TX 75052 – (972) 647-1222
- Curtis Anderson Insurance – 1740 S Carrier Pkwy – Grand Prairie, TX 75051 – (972) 641-8551
- Atlas General Agency – 2080 N Highway 360 # 270 – Grand Prairie, TX 75050 – (972) 975-0003
- USA Agency – 2100 N Highway 360 – Grand Prairie, TX 75050 – (972) 623-1688
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents can only place business with one company and examples are State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. These agents are unable to place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. They receive extensive training on the products they sell which can be an advantage. Consumers sometimes buy insurance from these agents mainly due to high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
The following are captive agencies in Grand Prairie who can help you get comparison quotes.
- State Farm Insurance – 530 S Carrier Pkwy # 104 – Grand Prairie, TX 75051 – (972) 262-5121
- Allstate Insurance – 3050 Kingswood Blvd – Grand Prairie, TX 75052 – (972) 602-9513
- Farmers Insurance Group – 2306 Oak Ln – Grand Prairie, TX 75051 – (972) 237-5677
To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Grand Prairie, visit this site.
Selecting a car insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These questions are important to ask:
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Texas?
- If you have an accident, will your rates go up?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Which insurance companies are they affiliated with?
Upon getting satisfactory answers to any questions you have and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found an auto insurance agent that can properly insure your vehicles.
Online plus local equals savings
As you shop your coverage around, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where an insured cut liability coverage limits to discover at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The proper strategy is to purchase plenty of coverage at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.
We covered a lot of tips how to lower your auto insurance rates. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may even discover the lowest rates come from a lesser-known regional company.
Insureds leave their current company for any number of reasons including being labeled a high risk driver, not issuing a premium refund, high rates after DUI convictions and unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason, choosing a new company can be pretty painless.
For more Texas auto insurance information
Additional auto insurance information can be read on the Texas Department of Insurance website located here. Texas consumers can read consumer alerts, find out industry alerts, and report car insurance fraud.
The articles below may also help you learn more about auto insurance in Grand Prairie