Are you intimidated by the wide range of auto insurance companies in New Braunfels? You have a lot of company. You have so many options available that it can be more work than you anticipated to find lower rates.
Consumers need to compare prices yearly because rates are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you got the best price on your last policy a different company probably has better rates today. Forget all the misinformation about auto insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the right way to lower your rates without sacrificing coverage.
How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance in New Braunfels
Most companies such as State Farm, GEICO and Progressive give price estimates online. Getting online quotes is fairly straightforward as you just enter your personal and coverage information as requested by the quote form. After the form is submitted, their rating system orders your credit score and driving record and returns a price determined by many factors.
This helps simplify price comparisons, but the time it takes to visit several different sites and enter the same data into a form is repetitive and time-consuming. But it’s very important to compare as many rates as possible if you are searching for a lower rate.
A more efficient way to find better auto insurance pricing uses one simple form to obtain quotes from several companies at one time. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes online quotes a little more enjoyable. Immediately after submitting the form, your coverage is rated and you are able to buy any one of the quotes that you receive.
If a lower price is quoted, it’s easy to complete the application and purchase the new policy. It just takes a couple of minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.
To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, simply click here to open in new window and submit your coverage information. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you input the limits and deductibles identical to your current policy. This helps ensure you will have a price comparison based on similar coverages.
Don’t overlook these ten discounts
Insuring your fleet can be pricey, but there could be available discounts to reduce the price significantly. Larger premium reductions will be automatically applied when you quote, but a few need to be specially asked for before you will receive the discount.
- New Vehicle Savings – Adding a new car to your policy is cheaper compared to insuring an older model.
- Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for switching to them before your current expiration date. This can save 10% or more.
- Defensive Driving Course – Completing a driver safety course can save you 5% or more and easily recoup the cost of the course.
- Multi-policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with the same insurance company you may save at least 10% off all policies.
- Senior Discount – Older drivers may receive a discount up to 10%.
- Pay Upfront and Save – If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- College Student – Any of your kids living away from home attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can be insured at a reduced rate.
- Club Memberships – Participating in a civic or occupational organization is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
- Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Vehicles with factory air bags can receive discounts of more than 20%.
It’s important to note that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So despite the fact that it appears you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way. But any discount will cut your premiums.
For a list of insurance companies with discount auto insurance rates in New Braunfels, click here to view.
Parts of your auto insurance policy
Understanding the coverages of your policy can help you determine the best coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Auto insurance terms can be difficult to understand and coverage can change by endorsement.
Coverage for liability
This coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to other people or property. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others. Liability doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.
Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. You commonly see values of 100/300/100 that means you have a limit of $100,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $300,000, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery. Occasionally you may see a combined limit that pays claims from the same limit without having the split limit caps.
Liability coverage pays for claims like emergency aid, repair bills for other people’s vehicles and medical services. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but consider buying as large an amount as possible. Texas requires minimum liability limits of 30,000/60,000/25,000 but you should consider buying higher limits.
Collision coverage
This coverage covers damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with an object or car. A deductible applies then your collision coverage will kick in.
Collision can pay for claims such as backing into a parked car, driving through your garage door, colliding with another moving vehicle and damaging your car on a curb. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to save money on collision insurance.
Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision)
This coverage pays for damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first have to pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as fire damage, hail damage, theft, damage from getting keyed and vandalism. The most you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance
This protects you and your vehicle from other motorists when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.
Since many Texas drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (30/60/25 in Texas), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. So UM/UIM coverage is very important. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.
Insurance for medical payments
Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills for EMT expenses, nursing services, X-ray expenses, prosthetic devices and dental work. They are used to fill the gap from your health insurance plan or if you lack health insurance entirely. Coverage applies to you and your occupants and will also cover if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states but it provides additional coverages not offered by medical payments coverage
Additional auto insurance information is available on the Texas Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. Texas consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, read industry bulletins, find disaster information, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.