Texas buyers have many options when searching for affordable Plymouth Horizon insurance. They can either waste time calling around trying to get quotes or utilize the internet to make rate comparisons. There is a right way and a wrong way to shop for car insurance so we’re going to tell you the proper way to get price quotes for a new or used Plymouth and obtain the best price possible.
You should take the time to price shop coverage occasionally because insurance rates change regularly. Even if you got the best price on Horizon insurance last year a different company probably has better rates today. There is a lot of wrong information about car insurance online but I’m going to show you some solid techniques on how to save money.
Finding the best rates is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you will most likely be able to save some money using these methods. Nevertheless, Texas vehicle owners must understand how companies sell insurance online and use this information to your advantage.
More discounts equal less premium
Companies don’t always advertise all their discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both well-publicized and the harder-to-find car insurance savings.
- Early Signing – Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy prior to your current policy expiring. This can save 10% or more.
- Service Members Pay Less – Being deployed with a military unit could mean lower rates.
- Low Mileage – Fewer annual miles on your Plymouth can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Good Student – A discount for being a good student can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
- Multiple Cars – Buying coverage for all your vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
- Clubs and Organizations – Participating in a qualifying organization could qualify you for a break when buying car insurance on Horizon insurance.
- Student in College – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
- Paperwork-free – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy digitally online.
- Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may save up to 50% more on Horizon insurance than their less cautious counterparts.
- Defensive Driver – Successfully completing a course in driver safety can save you 5% or more depending on where you live.
It’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like liability and collision coverage. So when the math indicates having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you’re out of luck.
To see a list of insurance companies with the best car insurance discounts in Texas, follow this link.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When it comes to choosing adequate coverage for your vehicles, there really is not a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.
These are some specific questions might point out whether your personal situation would benefit from professional advice.
- When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
- How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in Texas?
- Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
- Should I have combined single limit or split liability limits?
- When should I drop full coverage on my Plymouth Horizon?
- Am I covered when driving a rental car?
- Am I covered when pulling a rental trailer?
- Do I really need UM/UIM coverage?
- Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?
- How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in Texas?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to an agent. To find an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form.
What if I want to buy from a local Texas agent?
Some consumers prefer to buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. The biggest benefit of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain the best rates and still choose a local agent.
To find an agent, once you fill out this form (opens in new window), your information gets sent to agents in your area who will return price quotes for your insurance coverage. You never need to leave your computer since price quotes are sent directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! You’ll get the best rates and work with a local agent.
Picking an provider shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Some important questions to ask are:
- Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- How are claims handled?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
Different types of Texas insurance agencies
When searching for a reliable agent, you need to know there are two different types of agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Texas are categorized either captive or independent.
Captive Agents
Captive agents have only one company to place business with and some examples include Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are trained well on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers frequently choose to use a captive agent primarily because of high brand loyalty and strong financial ratings.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, the business is moved internally without you having to go to a different agency.
When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to contact at a minimum one independent agency to get the best comparison. Many write coverage with smaller companies who may have lower rates.
To view a complete directory of Texas agencies, click here.
Upon receiving answers to your satisfaction to these questions as well as a affordable price, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that meets your needs to provide car insurance coverage.
Additional car insurance links
More tips and info about car insurance is located at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas drivers can find disaster information, get help finding coverage, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.
The following information may also be useful.
Car insurance specifics
Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing which coverages you need and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be impossible to understand and reading a policy is terribly boring.
Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries to you and your family as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Texas drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (which is 30/60/25), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.
Comprehensive (Other than Collision)
This pays to fix your vehicle from damage from a wide range of events other than collision. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive insurance covers things such as rock chips in glass, hitting a bird and theft. The maximum payout you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Medical expense insurance
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for expenses like pain medications, funeral costs and doctor visits. The coverages can be utilized in addition to your health insurance plan or if you are not covered by health insurance. They cover all vehicle occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not an option in every state but can be used in place of medical payments coverage
Collision insurance
Collision insurance pays for damage to your Horizon from colliding with another car or object. You first must pay a deductible and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for claims such as sideswiping another vehicle, crashing into a ditch, driving through your garage door and crashing into a building. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. Another option is to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Liability
Liability coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on a person or their property that is your fault. It protects YOU against other people’s claims, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.
Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You commonly see policy limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and a limit of $100,000 paid for damaged property.
Liability can pay for things such as structural damage, attorney fees, medical services and loss of income. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as high a limit as you can afford. Texas requires drivers to carry at least 30,000/60,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing more liability than the minimum.
More comparisons equals lower rates
When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice collision coverage only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your aim should be to buy the best coverage you can find for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.
Lower-priced Plymouth Horizon insurance is available on the web in addition to many Texas insurance agents, and you need to comparison shop both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. Some insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
In this article, we covered many tips how you can shop for Plymouth Horizon insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more you quote, the better your comparison will be. You may be surprised to find that the best price on car insurance is with a small mutual company.