Finding the lowest price for Sumter car insurance can seem like an uphill battle if you have never used online price comparisons. But don’t be discouraged because using the internet to shop for car insurance is actually quite easy.
It’s a great practice to price shop coverage occasionally because insurance rates are variable and change quite frequently. If you had the lowest price six months ago you can probably find a better price now. So forget anything you know (or think you know) about car insurance because we’re going to show you one of the best ways to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.
Finding the best rates in Sumter is easy if you know what you’re doing. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using these methods. South Carolina drivers just need to know the proper way to compare price quotes online.
How to Get Sumter Car Insurance Comparison Quotes
Getting a cheaper price on insurance is actually quite simple. All that’s required is to take time comparing price quotes from different insurance companies. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- The easiest and least time consuming way consumers can analyze rates would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This form eliminates the need for separate quotes for each company. Completing one form compares rates from multiple companies. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
- Another way to shop for car insurance online requires visiting each company website and complete a new quote form. For example, let’s say you want rates from State Farm, Progressive and Allstate. To get rate quotes you would need to visit each site and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Sumter, click here.
- The least efficient way to compare rates is driving around to and from local Sumter insurance agencies. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you want the trained guidance that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to price shop online but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll touch on that later.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you’re using exactly the same coverage information on every quote you get. If you are comparing different liability limits it will be next to impossible to make an equal comparison in Sumter.
Car insurance ads bend the truth
South Carolina drivers constantly see and hear ads for car insurance savings by Progressive, Geico, Allstate and State Farm. All the companies say the same thing that you can save if you switch to their company.
How does each company say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.
Insurance companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that makes them money. An example of a desirable insured could be over the age of 50, has no prior claims, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who fits that profile will get the preferred rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.
Consumers who are not a match for these standards will be quoted more money and ends up with the customer not buying. The ad wording is “customers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that kind of money. That is how companies can truthfully advertise the savings. This emphasizes why it is so important to get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict the company that will have the lowest rates.
Save money by taking advantage of these discounts
Car insurance companies do not advertise every available discount very clearly, so here is a list some of the best known as well as the least known ways to save on car insurance. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you’re paying more than you need to.
- College Student – Children who live away from home without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
- Save with a New Car – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can cost up to 25% less compared to insuring an older model.
- Discount for Good Grades – Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts up to age 25.
- Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of making monthly payments you could save 5% or more.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance.
- Seat Belt Usage – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could save 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
- Homeowners Discount – Owning a house in Sumter may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house shows financial diligence.
- Early Signing – Some insurance companies reward drivers for switching to them prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
- Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.
- Auto/Home Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one company you will save approximately 10% to 15%.
It’s important to understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free car insurance policy, you’re out of luck.
But don’t I need an insurance agent?
A small number of people would rather visit with an insurance agent. Licensed agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help you file claims. The best thing about comparing rates online is you may find the best rates but also keep your business local.
Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is submitted to insurance agents in Sumter who will battle for your insurance coverage. You don’t have to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. How’s that for easy!
Deciding on an insurer should depend on more than just a cheap price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- How long has their agency been in business in Sumter?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- How are they compensated?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
Captive agents vs. Independent agents
If you’re trying to find local Sumter agents, there are two types of insurance agents that you can select. Agencies in Sumter are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive). Either one can do a good job, but it’s important to know how they are different because it can influence your selection of an agent.
Agency Captives
Captive insurance agents are contracted to one company such as Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so they have to upsell other benefits. They receive extensive training on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives mostly because of high brand loyalty and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.
Listed below are Sumter captive insurance agencies that can give you price quote information.
- State Farm Insurance – 1324 Broad St – Sumter, SC 29150 – (803) 469-3276
- Allstate Insurance – 434 N Guignard Dr # C – Sumter, SC 29150 – (803) 778-1614
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with multiple insurance companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part. When searching for an agent, we recommend you get quotes from multiple independent agents for the best price selection.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.
The following is a short list of independent insurance agents in Sumter willing to provide comparison quotes.
- Direct General Ins Agency – 308 Broad St – Sumter, SC 29150 – (803) 938-9107
- United Insurance Co Of America – 1116 Alice Dr # B – Sumter, SC 29150 – (803) 469-4217
- Mc Kinney Agency – 314 W Liberty St # A – Sumter, SC 29150 – (803) 778-2490
- Bobby Beatson Insurance – 389 Rast St – Sumter, SC 29150 – (803) 778-6579
For a full directory of Sumter insurance agents, please go to this site.
Once you have acceptable answers and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that meets your needs to provide car insurance coverage.
When might I need help?
When it comes to buying the right insurance coverage, there is no single plan that fits everyone. Every situation is different.
For instance, these questions may help you determine if your insurance needs will benefit from professional help.
- When should I not file a claim?
- Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
- Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
- How much liability do I need to cover my assets?
- Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
- What is the minimum liability in South Carolina?
- Should I buy only the required South Carolina minimum liability coverage?
- When should I drop full coverage on my vehicle?
- Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.
More detailed South Carolina car insurance information can be found at the South Carolina Department of Insurance website. South Carolina drivers can learn about insurance regulations, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, discover disciplinary actions, and file complaints about a company.
Other useful links include this page for South Carolina car insurance and this page where you can research Sumter insurance agents.
More effort can pay off
While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. Too many times, an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. The proper strategy is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.
People who switch companies do it for a number of reasons such as lack of trust in their agent, extreme rates for teen drivers, unfair underwriting practices and even poor customer service. Regardless of your reason, finding a new company can be pretty painless.
You just read a lot of techniques to compare car insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more providers you compare, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the lowest premiums are with a smaller regional carrier.