Expensive car insurance can take a big chunk out of your savings account, especially in this economy. Comparison shopping is a smart way to make sure you’re not throwing money away. Drivers have so many auto insurance companies to pick from, and although it’s nice to have multiple companies, it can be more difficult to find the lowest rates.
It’s smart to compare prices before your policy renews since rates are variable and change quite frequently. Even if you think you had the best deal for Highlander coverage a few years ago you can probably find a lower rate today. There is a lot of wrong information about car insurance online but we’re going to give you some proven techniques to put money back in your pocket.
Shopping for the cheapest car insurance coverage is not that difficult. If you are insured now or are looking for a new policy, you will benefit by learning to shop for the lowest rates while maximizing coverage. Texas consumers only need to know the most effective way to shop over the internet.
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance in Texas
Effectively comparing car insurance prices can be exhausting if you don’t understand the most efficient way to do it. You can waste a lot of time driving to insurance agencies in your area, or you can stay home and use online quotes for quick rates.
Many insurance companies enroll in a system where prospective buyers enter their coverage request one time, and at least one company then returns a price quote based on that information. This eliminates the need for quote requests for each company.
To compare pricing click here (opens in new window).
One minor caviat to doing it this way is you are unable to specify which carriers to receive prices from. If you would rather choose from a list of companies to compare prices, we have a listing of car insurance companies in Texas. Click to view list.
It’s up to you which method you use, but be sure to compare exactly the same coverages and limits for each comparison quote. If your comparisons have different values for each quote you will not be able to determine the lowest rate for your Toyota Highlander.
How do I know if I need professional advice?
When buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a single plan that fits everyone. Every situation is different and your policy should reflect that. For example, these questions might point out whether or not you could use an agent’s help.
- Am I covered when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Do I have any recourse if my insurance company denies a claim?
- Does my liability insurance cover pulling a trailer or camper?
- Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
- Is pleasure use cheaper than using my Toyota Highlander to commute?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- Should I buy only the required Texas minimum liability coverage?
- Do I get a pro-rated refund if I cancel my policy early?
- Why does it cost so much to insure a teen driver in Texas?
If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you know they apply to you, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, fill out this quick form or you can go here for a list of companies in your area. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.
What if I want to buy from a local Texas agent?
Some people would prefer to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Insurance agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates and still choose a local agent. Buying from local agencies is especially important in small towns and cities.
For easy comparison, once you complete this simple form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents who will battle for your coverage. There is no reason to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent straight to your inbox. It doesn’t get any easier!
Texas auto insurance agents are either independent or captive
When searching for a reliable agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Texas agents are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can write coverage properly, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different since it may influence your selection of an agent.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents are not employed by any specific company but rather can write business with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, an independent agent can move your coverage and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparing rates, we recommend you get quotes from multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.
Captive Insurance Agents
These agents write business for a single company and examples are Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot give you multiple price quotes so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents are very knowledgeable on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
For a full directory of Texas insurance agents, view this site.
Choosing an auto insurance agent requires more thought than just a cheap price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- How long has their agency been open?
- Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
- Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
After receiving good answers to all your questions and an affordable coverage quote, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that will service your policy.
Additional car insurance information is located on the website for the Texas Department of Insurance. Click here for link. Texas consumers can read industry bulletins, report car insurance fraud, view a list of available companies, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.