Are you a victim of an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Trust us, you’re not alone. You have so many insurers to purchase coverage from, and although it’s a good thing to have a choice, lots of choices makes it harder to compare rates and find the lowest cost car insurance.
Consumers should take time to shop coverage around occasionally because prices change quite often. Even if you think you had the best price six months ago you will most likely find a better rate today. Don’t believe everything you read about car insurance on the internet, so we’re going to give you some good information on how to find cheap car insurance.
This information will help you learn how car insurance quotes work and some tricks to saving. If you have car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Texas drivers just need to learn how to shop their coverage around online.
Car Insurance Prices in Schertz
Reducing your insurance rates can be quick and easy. All you need to do is spend a few minutes on the computer getting comparison quotes from different insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.
- The single most time-saving way to get quotes is a comparison rater form click to view form in new window. This easy form keeps you from doing multiple quote forms to each individual car insurance company. One form will return quotes from car insurance companies with the best prices.
- A harder way to obtain and compare quotes online is spending the time to visit each company website to complete a price quote. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want rates from GEICO, 21st Century and American Family. You would have to take the time to go to each site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method. For a handy list of car insurance company links in Schertz, click here.
- The least recommended way of comparing rate quotes is to spend your day driving to and from local Schertz insurance agencies. Buying insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you have a need for the trained guidance of a local Schertz agent. It is possible to get the lowest quotes online but still have the advice of a local agent and we’ll talk about that later.
It’s up to you which method you use, but ensure you’re using identical coverage limits with each company. If the quotes have higher or lower deductibles you will not be able to determine the best price in Schertz.
Take advantage of discounts
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but discounts can save money and there are some available that can drop the cost substantially. Some discounts apply automatically at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be asked for before you get the savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re paying more than you need to.
- Claim Free – Claim-free drivers pay less when compared to frequent claim filers.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts up to 30%.
- Safety Course Discount – Completing a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if your company offers it.
- Drive Safe and Save – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more than drivers with accidents.
- Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government may qualify you for a discount with select insurance companies.
Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Some only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. Just because you may think having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren’t that generous. But any discount will help reduce the cost of coverage.
Your local neighborhood insurance agent
A small number of people just want to get advice from a local agent and that is a personal choice. Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. The best thing about comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting local businesses is definitely important in Schertz.
Upon completion of this simple form, your insurance coverage information gets sent to participating agents in Schertz who will battle for your insurance coverage. You never need to visit any agencies as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!
Schertz insurance agencies are either independent or captive
If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Schertz agents are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they differ since it may influence your agent selection.
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier without you having to go to a different agency. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection.
Shown below are Schertz independent agents that may be able to provide competitive price quotes.
Montlake Insurance Holdings – 4500 Cascade Dr – Schertz, TX 78154 – (210) 651-3575
Associates Insurance – 4500 Brush Creek Dr – Schertz, TX 78154 – (210) 657-7600
Agency Captives
Captive agencies have only one company to place business with such as Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot give you multiple price quotes so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques and that can be a competitive advantage.
Listed below are captive agents in Schertz that can give you rate quotes.
Farmers Insurance Group – 524 Exchange Ave – Schertz, TX 78154 – (210) 659-0234
State Farm Insurance – 1420 Schertz Pkwy – Schertz, TX 78154 – (210) 658-8885
Allstate Insurance – 17331 Ih 35 N – Schertz, TX 78154 – (210) 651-6265
To view a full list of Schertz captive agencies, view this link.
Choosing an insurance agent shouldn’t rely on just the price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
- Do they review policy coverages at every renewal?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
After getting reasonable responses and locked in a price quote, you may have just found a car insurance agent that will service your policy.
Is my situation unique?
When choosing coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is no single plan that fits everyone. Everyone’s situation is a little different so this has to be addressed. For example, these questions might point out if you will benefit from professional help.
- What can I do if my company denied a claim?
- Does my insurance cover a custom paint job?
- Do I have coverage when using my vehicle for my home business?
- Can I afford to buy a different vehicle if my vehicle is totaled?
- Why is insurance for a teen driver so high in Schertz?
- What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
- Why am I required to buy high-risk coverage?
- Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
If you’re not sure about those questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or go to this page to view a list of companies. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.
Car insurance coverage specifics
Learning about specific coverages of your policy can be of help when determining appropriate coverage at the best deductibles and correct limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring. Listed below are the usual coverages offered by car insurance companies.
Coverage for liability – Liability coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on people or other property. It protects you against claims from other people. Liability doesn’t cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see policy limits of 25/50/25 that translate to a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Alternatively, you may have a combined limit which limits claims to one amount with no separate limits for injury or property damage.
Liability insurance covers things such as legal defense fees, structural damage and attorney fees. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but buy as large an amount as possible. Texas state minimum liability requirements are 30,000/60,000/25,000 but drivers should carry more coverage.
Collision – This covers damage to your vehicle from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for things like backing into a parked car, crashing into a building, colliding with a tree and hitting a mailbox. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to choose a higher deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.
Medical payments coverage and PIP – Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for bills like rehabilitation expenses, X-ray expenses, nursing services, surgery and prosthetic devices. They can be utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover all vehicle occupants in addition to if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible
Comprehensive coverage – This coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You first must pay your deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage protects against claims like theft, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, rock chips in glass and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount a car insurance company will pay at claim time is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (30/60/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family. Most of the time your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Keep this in mind
Discount car insurance is possible online as well as from independent agents in Schertz, and you need to price shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.
Throughout this article, we presented many ways to save on car insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the best prices are with an unexpected company. Smaller companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like State Farm or Progressive.
When you buy insurance online, it’s very important that you do not buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, someone dropped comprehensive coverage or liability limits and discovered at claim time they didn’t have enough coverage. Your aim should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price, not the least amount of coverage.
For more Texas car insurance information
More information can be read on the website for the Texas Department of Insurance through this link. Texas consumers can find disaster information, find out industry alerts, and file complaints about a company.