Texas buyers have many options when searching for the best price on Chevy Lumina insurance. They can either spend hours driving around getting price quotes or utilize the internet to make rate comparisons. There is a right way and a wrong way to compare car insurance rates so we’re going to tell you the absolute fastest way to price shop coverage for a new or used Chevy and obtain the lowest price.
You should make it a habit to do rate comparisons at least once a year because rates change regularly. Even if you think you had the lowest rates on Lumina coverage a year ago you may be paying too much now. Don’t believe everything you read about car insurance on the web, but with this article, you’re going to get a lot of great tips on how to reduce your car insurance bill.
Finding affordable coverage is quite easy. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these techniques. Texas drivers just need to understand how to buy car insurance online.
Factors that can influence Chevy Lumina insurance rates
Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that come into play when calculating car insurance rates. Knowing what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.
The list below includes some of the factors that factor into prices.
- More than one policy can earn a discount – Some insurers will give a discount to customers who buy several policies from them in the form of a multi-policy discount. Even with this discount, you may still want to shop around to make sure you are getting the best deal. Drivers may still find better rates by splitting coverages up.
- Discounts for married couples – Being married actually saves money on car insurance. Having a significant other means you’re more responsible and it’s statistically proven that married drivers get in fewer accidents.
- Don’t buy coverages you don’t need – There are a ton of additional coverages that you can get tricked into buying when buying car insurance. Coverages for vanishing deductibles, accidental death and additional equipment coverage may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea when you first buy your policy, but now you might not need them so eliminate them to save money.
- A lapse in coverage is a bad thing – Having an insurance coverage lapse is a quick way to pay more for car insurance. And not only will your rates increase, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance will get you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
- Theft deterrents lower rates – Owning a car with anti-theft technology or alarm system can get you a discount on your car insurance. Anti-theft features like tamper alarm systems, vehicle immobilizer technology and General Motors OnStar can help prevent auto theft.
- Proper usage rating affects rates – The more you drive in a year the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies price each vehicle’s coverage based on how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks that are left in the garage receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. An improperly rated Lumina can result in significantly higher rates. Verify your car insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss
Companies don’t always advertise every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched both well-publicized as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount available, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Anti-theft Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems can help prevent theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- No Claims – Claim-free drivers pay less as compared to drivers who are more careless.
- Discount for Good Grades – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts up to age 25.
- Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military could mean lower rates.
- Federal Government Employee – Employees or retirees of the government could cut as much as 10% off on Lumina coverage with a few car insurance companies.
- Multiple Vehicles – Insuring multiple vehicles with the same company could earn a price break for each car.
- Organization Discounts – Belonging to certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates when shopping for car insurance on Lumina coverage.
It’s important to note that many deductions do not apply to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as collision or personal injury protection. So even though they make it sound like adding up those discounts means a free policy, companies don’t profit that way.
To choose providers with discount car insurance rates in Texas, click here to view.
Buying car insurance from a local agent
Some consumers would prefer to buy from a local agent and that is just fine! Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to.
Upon completion of this short form, your insurance coverage information gets sent to local insurance agents who will compete for your coverage. There is no need to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. How cool is that?!
Picking a company requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:
- If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
- How much will you save each year by using a higher deductible?
- How are they compensated?
- Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Do they have any clout with companies to ensure a fair claim settlement?
- How long has their agency been in business?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
Two types of insurance agencies
When researching a reliable agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Texas are classified as either captive or independent. Either one can write coverage properly, but it’s important to know the difference between them since it may influence your agent selection.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents work for only one company such as Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some consumers prefer to buy from captive agents partially due to loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If your agent finds better pricing, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, we recommend you include price quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller regional carriers which can save you money.
For a full directory of agencies in Texas, click here.
After getting acceptable answers to all your questions and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an insurance agency that is a good match to service your policy.
Find out more about car insurance
More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can read consumer alerts, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and report car insurance fraud.
More related Texas car insurance information:
- Uncover the Secrets to Saving Money on San Antonio Texas Car Insurance
- Car Insurance in Houston Texas 5 Tricks to Lower Rates
Affordable insurance is out there
People leave their current company for many reasons like high prices, delays in paying claims, poor customer service or even delays in responding to claim requests. Whatever your reason, switching companies is not as difficult as it may seem.
As you shop your coverage around, never buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There are many occasions where drivers have reduced physical damage coverage only to regret at claim time that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage at an affordable rate.
Low-cost Chevy Lumina insurance can be sourced on the web and also from your neighborhood Texas agents, and you should compare price quotes from both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.