Finding better rates for Jersey City car insurance can be a challenge for consumers not familiar with buying insurance online. People have so many choices that it can easily become a real hassle to compare prices in Jersey City.
It’s important to compare rates every six months due to the fact that insurance rates change regularly. Just because you found the lowest price on your last policy you will most likely find a better rate today. Starting right now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because you’re going to learn the things you must know in order to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.
The purpose of this post is to help educate you on how car insurance quotes work. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to cut costs considerably using this information. But New Jersey vehicle owners must know the methods companies use to price insurance differently.
Low Cost Jersey City Car Insurance
There are several ways to compare rate quotes from car insurance companies in your area. The best method to find competitive insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- The best way consumers can analyze rates is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This method prevents you from having to do separate quote forms for every car insurance company. In just a few minutes this one form will get you price quotes from car insurance companies with the best prices. It’s the fastest way to compare.
- A slightly less efficient method to get quotes online is to take the time to go to each company’s website and request a quote. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want to compare Farmers, Progressive and Allstate. You would have to take the time to go to each site to enter your coverage information, which is why most consumers use the first method. To view a list of companies in Jersey City, click here.
- The most time-consuming way to compare rates is to spend time driving to different Jersey City agent offices. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional guidance only provided by licensed Jersey City agents. However, consumers can compare the best prices online and still use a local agent.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but double check that you are using apples-to-apples coverages and limits on every quote you get. If you compare differing limits you will not be able to decipher which rate is best in Jersey City. Having just a slight variation in coverage limits can make a big difference in price. And when comparison shopping, obtaining a wide range of quotes will enable you to find lower pricing.
You probably qualify for some discounts
Car insurance can cost a lot, but there could be available discounts that you may not even be aware of. Certain discounts will be triggered automatically when you complete an application, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for before you will receive the discount.
- Claim Free – Good drivers with no accidents pay much less compared to bad drivers.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and will save you 10% or more.
- Passive Restraints – Factory air bags can qualify for discounts of more than 20%.
- Paperwork-free – Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 for buying your policy over the internet.
- Student Driver Training – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
A little note about advertised discounts, most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. A few only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. So despite the fact that it appears you would end up receiving a 100% discount, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will bring down the amount you have to pay.
But buying car insurance online seems impersonal
Some people prefer to buy from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the best bonuses of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent. And supporting small agencies is important especially in Jersey City.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your business. There is no need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! You can find the lowest rates AND a local agent.
Is a captive or independent car insurance agent right for you?
When searching for a good Jersey City insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Agents are either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency.
When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.
Listed below are independent insurance agents in Jersey City who may be able to give you price quote information.
- Leobin Insurance – 541 Newark Ave – Jersey City, NJ 07306 – (201) 222-0900
- Petrocci Agency – 1674 John F Kennedy Blvd – Jersey City, NJ 07305 – (201) 434-4760
- MONTO Agency Inc – 3238 John F Kennedy Blvd – Jersey City, NJ 07306 – (201) 659-6427
- John T Mendez Agency – 261 Central Ave – Jersey City, NJ 07307 – (201) 792-4188
- New Eastern Insurance – 104 Oakland Ave – Jersey City, NJ 07306 – (201) 795-2435
Captive Insurance Agents
These agents write business for a single company and some examples include Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. They are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers sometimes purchase coverage from captives partially due to high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
Choosing a car insurance agent requires more thought than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- Will you be dealing directly with the agent or with a Custom Service Representative (CSR)?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
Once you have received acceptable answers for all questions you ask and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agent that can service your policy.
Which policy gives me the best coverage?
When it comes to choosing coverage, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s situation is unique.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine if your situation could use an agent’s help.
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
- Do I need rental car coverage?
- What can I do if my company denied a claim?
- Does my personal auto insurance policy cover using my vehicle for business use?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Are rental cars covered under my policy?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form.
Additional information can be found on the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website through this link. New Jersey consumers can view agent and company licensing information, find disaster information, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.
Also read more on Auto Insurance 101 and this list of insurance agents in Jersey City.
Can you really save $479 a year?
Car insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate and Geico constantly bombard you with ads on TV and radio. They all seem to say the same thing that you’ll save big if you switch your coverage to them. How do they all make the same claim? It’s all in the numbers.
All the different companies can use profiling for the driver that earns them a profit. For example, a desirable insured might be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A driver who matches those parameters gets the lowest rates and as a result will probably save quite a bit of money when switching.
Consumers who don’t qualify for the requirements will be charged a higher premium and this can result in business not being written. The ad wording is “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save that kind of money. That is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims.
That is why you should get as many comparisons as possible. You cannot predict the company that will have the lowest rates.
Detailed coverages of your car insurance policy
Learning about specific coverages of your car insurance policy helps when choosing the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (15/30/5), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Insurance for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage reimburse you for bills for pain medications, nursing services, X-ray expenses, prosthetic devices and rehabilitation expenses. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal injury protection coverage is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
This coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as damage from getting keyed, falling objects, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider removing comprehensive coverage.
Liability insurance
This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to a person or their property. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. Liability doesn’t cover damage to your own property or vehicle.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You commonly see values of 50/100/50 which means a limit of $50,000 per injured person, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $50,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Another option is one number which is a combined single limit that pays claims from the same limit and claims can be made without the split limit restrictions.
Liability insurance covers claims like medical services, repair costs for stationary objects and repair bills for other people’s vehicles. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. New Jersey requires drivers to carry at least 15,000/30,000/5,000 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.
Collision protection
Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision coverage pays for things such as sustaining damage from a pot hole, crashing into a ditch and driving through your garage door. This coverage can be expensive, so consider removing coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
More comparisons equals lower rates
In this article, we presented many tips how you can reduce car insurance prices online. It’s most important to understand that the more times you quote, the more likely it is that you will get a better rate. Drivers may discover the lowest priced car insurance comes from some of the smallest insurance companies.
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced physical damage coverage and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. The proper strategy is to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
The cheapest car insurance is available both online and with local Jersey City insurance agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not offer you the ability to get quotes online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.