I can’t think of a single person who anticipates paying for car insurance, especially when they know their premiums are through the roof. Because there are so many car insurance companies to choose from, it is hard for the average consumer to locate the lowest price insurance company.
It’s a great practice to do rate comparisons yearly because insurance prices are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Even if you think you had the best deal for Murano coverage a few years ago you can probably find a lower rate today. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding car insurance on the internet, but I’m going to show you some of the best ways to lower your car insurance rates.
Finding the best rates in Austin is quite easy. If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to reduce your rates substantially using these tips. But Texas vehicle owners must understand how insurance companies price insurance differently and apply this information to your search.
There are several ways of comparing price quotes from many car insurance companies in Texas. The easiest way to comparison shop is simply to get online rate quotes. This can be done in a couple minutes as outlined below.
- If you are pressed for time, the simplest way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This quick form saves time by eliminating repetitive form entry for each company you want a rate for. One form submission will return quotes from multiple low-cost companies.
- A harder way to obtain and compare quotes online is spending the time to visit the website for each individual company and go through the quote process again. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want rates from State Farm, Farmers and Liberty Mutual. You would need to take the time to go to each site and type in your information over and over, which can be really labor intensive.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Austin, click here.
- Even if you have time, the least recommended method to compare rates is driving to all the different insurance agencies. Buying insurance online has made agencies unnecessary unless you want the peace of mind that only a licensed agent can provide. It is possible with some companies get prices online and have a local agent actually service the policy.
How you compare quotes is your choice, just be certain you are entering the same information for each comparison quote. If you enter higher or lower deductibles it will be next to impossible to determine which company has the best rates in Austin. Just a small difference in coverage limits can result in a big premium difference. And when quoting car insurance, remember that comparing more rates from different companies will increase your chances of finding the best offered rates.
Brand name doesn’t guarantee savings
Well-known car insurance companies like State Farm, GEICO and Progressive endlessly run ads on television and other media. They all seem to advertise the message of big savings if you move to their company. Is it even possible that every company can offer drivers better rates? You have to listen carefully.
Insurance companies can use profiling for the type of insured that will most likely be profitable. A good example of a profitable risk profile might be described as a mature driver, has never had a claim, and drives less than 10,000 miles a year. Anybody that hits that “sweet spot” is entitled to the best price and will probably save when switching.
Drivers who do not meet these stringent criteria may receive more expensive rates which translates to the customer buying from someone else. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” but not “all drivers who get quotes” will save that much if they switch. That’s why companies can truthfully advertise the way they do. This really emphasizes why it is so important to compare rate quotes every year. It’s just too difficult to predict which insurance companies will have better prices than you’re paying now.
Do you qualify for these eight discounts?
Not too many consumers would say car insurance is affordable, but there could be significant discounts that you may not know about. Most are applied at the time of quoting, but once in a while a discount must be specially asked for before they will apply. If you aren’t receiving every discount possible, you are throwing money away.
- Sign Online – A few larger online companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for completing your application on their website.
- Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your auto and home insurance with one company you could get a discount of at least 10% off all policies.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory options such as air bags and/or automatic seat belt systems can receive discounts of 20% or more.
- Telematics Discount – People who choose to allow their company to look at where and when they drive by using a telematics device in their vehicle such as Progressive’s Snapshot may get a rate reduction if they show good driving skills.
- Discounts for Government Workers – Having worked for a branch of the government could provide a small rate reduction for Murano coverage but check with your company.
- Discount for Home Ownership – Just owning your own home may trigger a policy discount on car insurance since home ownership demonstrates responsibility.
- Early Switch Discount – A few car insurance companies allow discounts for buying a new policy early. The savings is around 10%.
- Discounts for Cautious Drivers – Insureds who avoid accidents may receive a discount up to 45% for Murano coverage than their less cautious counterparts.
Just know that some of the credits will not apply to your bottom line cost. Most only cut specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Just because it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, insurance companies wouldn’t stay in business.
Companies and a selection of discounts are shown below.
- Farm Bureau discounts include driver training, safe driver, youthful driver, 55 and retired, good student, and multi-vehicle.
- MetLife may have discounts that include good driver, defensive driver, claim-free, good student, multi-policy, and accident-free.
- Progressive may include discounts for homeowner, multi-vehicle, continuous coverage, online signing, and good student.
- AAA offers premium reductions for education and occupation, multi-policy, pay-in-full, AAA membership discount, multi-car, good student, and anti-theft.
- American Family offers discounts for Steer into Savings, mySafetyValet, multi-vehicle, bundled insurance, and good driver.
- GEICO offers discounts including seat belt use, anti-theft, military active duty, daytime running lights, five-year accident-free, membership and employees, and anti-lock brakes.
- State Farm has discounts for good student, passive restraint, driver’s education, Steer Clear safe driver discount, and safe vehicle.
Before purchasing a policy, check with each company how you can save money. A few discounts might not be offered on policies in Austin. To view car insurance companies with significant discounts in Texas, click here.
There’s no such thing as the perfect car insurance policy
When it comes to buying coverage, there really is not a “best” method to buy coverage. Everyone’s needs are different so your insurance needs to address that. For instance, these questions might help in determining if you would benefit from an agent’s advice.
- Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
- Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?
- Is my Nissan Murano covered for smoke damage?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
- Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, simply complete this short form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.
Shop online but buy locally
Many people just prefer to buy from a local agent. A nice benefit of comparing car insurance online is the fact that drivers can get cheap car insurance quotes and also buy local.
After filling out this short form, the quote information is sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes for your business. You never need to contact any agents because quoted prices will be sent to you directly. It’s the lowest rates without requiring a lot of work. If you need to get a rate quote from a specific company, you just need to jump over to their website and fill out their quote form.
Deciding on an insurance company needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Here are some questions you should ask.
- Do they have 24-hour customer assistance?
- How does the company pay claims for a total loss?
- If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Will the agent or a CSR service your policy?
Austin car insurance agents come in two flavors
If you are searching for a reputable agency, it’s helpful to know the types of agencies and how they differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Car insurance agents in Austin can be classified as either captive or independent.
Captive Agencies
Agents of this type work for only one company like State Farm, Allstate and AAA. These agents are unable to compare other company’s rates so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agencies are very knowledgeable on the products they sell which aids in selling service over price.
Independent Car Insurance Agencies
Independent insurance agents do not sell for just one brand and that gives them the ability to insure with many different companies and find you cheaper rates. If your agent finds better pricing, your policy is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When shopping rates, you definitely need to include price quotes from at least one independent agent to have the best price comparison.
After receiving positive responses to any questions you may have as well as a price you’re happy with, you may have just found a car insurance agent that meets the criteria to properly insure your vehicles.
Car insurance coverage information
Understanding the coverages of car insurance can help you determine the right coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. Policy terminology can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy. Listed below are the usual coverages offered by car insurance companies.
Comprehensive protection – This coverage will pay to fix damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible and the remainder of the damage will be paid by comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as a broken windshield, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, fire damage and hitting a bird. The maximum payout your car insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s not worth carrying full coverage.
Auto liability insurance – Liability coverage will cover damage that occurs to other’s property or people by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, and does not provide coverage for your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 which means a limit of $100,000 per injured person, $300,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $100,000 for damage to vehicles and property.
Liability coverage pays for things such as attorney fees, funeral expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering. How much coverage you buy is up to you, but consider buying higher limits if possible. Texas state minimum liability requirements are 30,000/60,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.
Collision coverage – Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your Murano resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.
Collision insurance covers things like hitting a parking meter, colliding with a tree, driving through your garage door and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider dropping it from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to bump up the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Uninsured or underinsured coverage – This coverage gives you protection when other motorists either have no liability insurance or not enough. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants and damage to your Nissan Murano.
Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (which is 30/60/25), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.
Medical expense coverage – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for expenses like EMT expenses, X-ray expenses, ambulance fees and dental work. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. They cover you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not universally available and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
In the end, you save
We’ve covered a lot of tips how to get a better price on Nissan Murano insurance. The key concept to understand is the more times you quote, the better chance you’ll have of finding . You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from the smaller companies. These companies may have significantly lower auto insurance rates on certain market segments compared to the large companies like Allstate or State Farm.
Low-cost Nissan Murano insurance can be purchased on the web as well as from insurance agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some companies may not have rate quotes online and these small insurance companies prefer to sell through independent insurance agencies.
Even more information is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can view a list of available companies, view agent and company licensing information, read state legal mandates and laws, and file complaints about a company.
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