Overpriced auto insurance can overdraw your savings account and put a big crunch on your finances. Doing a price comparison is free, only takes a few minutes, and is a good way to tighten up your finances. Consumers have many insurers to pick from, and even though it’s nice to have a choice, it makes it harder to find a good deal.
Winslow Auto Insurance Quote Comparison
Finding lower auto insurance rates is a fairly straight forward process. The only thing you need to do is take time comparing rate quotes provided by online insurance companies. This can be done in a couple of different ways.
- The recommended way to get the best comparison quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form click here to open form in new window. This form prevents you from having to do repetitive form entry to each individual auto insurance company. A single form will get you price quotes .
- A harder way to shop for auto insurance online is spending the time to visit the website for every company you want to comare and fill out their own quote form. For sake of this example, let’s say you want to compare Allstate, Liberty Mutual and Geico. You would have to take the time to go to each site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
To view a list of companies in Winslow, click here.
- The least recommended way to compare rates to local Winslow insurance agencies. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you prefer the personal advice only provided by licensed Winslow agents. It is possible to obtain prices from the web but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.
It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but make absolute certain that you use the exact same coverage limits and deductibles with every price quote. If you use different limits and deductibles on each one it will be next to impossible to determine which rate is truly the best in Winslow.
Lower rates by qualifying for discounts
Companies do not advertise every available discount very clearly, so the following is a list of both well-publicized and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Accident Forgiveness – Certain companies will forgive one accident before hitting you with a surcharge if you are claim-free prior to the accident.
- E-sign – Certain companies will give a small break just for signing your application online.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
- Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
- Discount for Good Grades – A discount for being a good student can earn a discount of 20% or more. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts may earn rate discounts up to 30%.
- Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to use a seat belt can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
- Student in College – Youth drivers who live away from home and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to all coverage premiums. Most only apply to individual premiums such as liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates all the discounts add up to a free policy, you won’t be that lucky.
For a list of providers offering auto insurance discounts in Maine, click here to view.
Online quotes with a local Winslow insurance agent
Certain consumers just want to get advice from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is the fact that you can find better rates and still choose a local agent.
After completing this short form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to companies in Winslow who will give you bids to get your business. There is no reason to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go to your email. How cool is that?!
Choosing an insurance company should depend on more than just a cheap price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Are they full-time agents?
- Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
- What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
- Will your rates increase after a single accident?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
- Is assistance available after office hours?
Shown below are agents in Winslow that may be able to provide rate quotes.
Winslow Insurance Svc – Route 32 & Veterans Dr, Winslow, ME 04901 – (207) 877-0516
Richard P Martineau Insurance – 21 Benton Ave, Winslow, ME 04901 – (207) 873-7175
State Farm Insurance – 121 Benton Ave, Winslow, ME 04901 – (207) 873-2744
After getting answers to your satisfaction to any questions you have and locked in a price quote, you may have just found an insurance company that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
Don’t assume everyone needs the same coverage
When choosing proper insurance coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Each situation is unique so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions can help discover if you would benefit from professional advice.
- Can I rate high risk drivers on liability-only vehicles?
- Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
- Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Maine?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
- What if I don’t agree with a claim settlement offer?
If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, simply complete this short form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
How your Winslow rates are determined
Smart consumers have a good feel for the rating factors that help determine the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.
- Special features that cut premiums – Choosing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help bring down rates. Theft prevention features such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can thwart your vehicle from being stolen.
- Your spouse saves you money – Getting married helps lower the price when buying auto insurance. Marriage usually means you are more mature and statistics show drivers who are married are more cautious.
- Your location affects your rates – Choosing to live in a rural area is a positive aspect when insuring your vehicles. Fewer drivers means fewer accidents and a lower car theft rate. Drivers in populated Maine areas regularly have more traffic problems and much longer commute distances. Higher commute times means higher likelihood of an accident.
- A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Not having insurance is illegal and your next policy will cost more because you let your insurance lapse. Not only will rates go up, but not being able to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may need to provide proof of insurance in the form of an SR-22 filing with the Maine motor vehicle department.
- Your stress level may be raising your rates – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Occupations such as judges, business owners and dentists tend to pay the highest average rates due to stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. Other jobs such as farmers, historians and performers have the lowest average rates.
- Battle of the sexes – The statistics show women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, don’t assume that women are BETTER drivers than men. Both sexes have accidents at a similar rate, but the males cause more damage and cost insurance companies more money. They also have more aggressive citations like DUI and reckless driving.
Drivers who switch save $395 a year? Really?
Consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings from companies such as State Farm and Allstate. They all seem to make the same claim of big savings if you change your policy.
How can each company make the same claim? This is how they do it.
Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that makes them money. For example, a preferred risk might be profiled as between 30 and 50, has no driving citations, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Any new insured who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and is almost guaranteed to save quite a bit of money when switching.
Consumers who do not match these standards will have to pay higher prices which leads to the driver buying from a lower-cost company. Company advertisements say “drivers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save that much. That is how companies can state the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must get as many comparisons as possible. You cannot predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Shop smart and save
When you buy insurance online, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where an insured cut liability coverage limits only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your goal should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.
You just read a lot of information how to shop for auto insurance online. The key thing to remember is the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the lowest priced auto insurance comes from the least-expected company. These companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than the large multi-state companies such as Progressive or Geico.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Maine drivers can find out which companies have the most complaints, discover disciplinary actions, download brochures, and view agent and company licensing information.