Nobody enjoys paying for auto insurance, especially when the cost is too high. Big companies like Progressive, GEICO and Farmers Insurance promote their brand names with fancy advertisements and it is challenging if not impossible to not get sucked in by the cute commercials and do the work needed to find the best deal.
If you have a current auto insurance policy or need a new policy, you can use these techniques to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Finding the best rates is easy if you know what you’re doing. Texas consumers only need to know the proper methods to compare price quotes on the web.
Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss
Companies do not advertise every discount in an easy-to-find place, so the following is a list of both the well known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit you qualify for, you are paying more than you should be.
- Low Mileage Discounts – Driving fewer miles can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.
- Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and will save you 10% or more.
- Seat Belts Save – Drivers who require all occupants to buckle their seat belts could save 15% off your medical payments premium.
- Claim Free – Claim-free drivers can earn big discounts when compared with drivers who are more careless.
- Sign Early and Save – Select companies give a discount for signing up before your current policy expires. It can save you around 10%.
- Multiple Policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with one company you may earn up to 20% off your total premium.
A little note about advertised discounts, most discounts do not apply to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to specific coverage prices like liability, collision or medical payments. Even though it may seem like you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
To choose companies with the best auto insurance discounts in Texas, click this link.
How to Lower Your Auto Insurance Cost in Texas
All major auto insurance companies such as Allstate and Progressive give coverage price quotes on the web. Obtaining pricing doesn’t take a lot of time as you just type in the coverages you want as detailed in the form. When the form is submitted, their rating system requests information on your driving record and credit history and generates pricing information based on these and other factors. Being able to quote online makes comparing rates easy, but having to visit different websites and type in the same information can be a bit repetitive. Unfortunately, it is important to perform this step if you are searching for the lowest possible prices on auto insurance.
The preferred way to compare rates requires only one form to obtain quotes from several companies at one time. It saves time, requires less work, and makes online quotes much easier. Once the form is submitted, your coverage is rated and you can select any one of the price quotes you receive. If a lower price is quoted, you can simply submit the application and purchase coverage. The whole process only takes a few minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.
If you want to fill out one form to compare multiple rates now, click here to open in a new tab and begin entering your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you input the limits and deductibles exactly as shown on your declarations page. Doing this guarantees you will receive rate comparison quotes based on similar coverages.
These factors can influence Chevy Express 1500 insurance rates
Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with big savings.
The following are some of the items used by your company to calculate rates.
- Liability coverage protects you – The liability section of your policy is the coverage that protects you if a court rules you are at fault for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability insurance provides for a legal defense starting from day one. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap compared to insuring for physical damage coverage, so buy as much as you can afford.
- High numbers of claims are not good – Car insurance companies in Texas provide better rates to insureds who do not file claims often. If you file claims often, you can definitely plan on higher rates. Your insurance policy is intended to be relied upon for major claims that would cause financial hardship.
- Poor driving leads to higher costs – Only having one moving violation may increase your cost by as much as thirty percent. Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers with severe tickets like hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions are required to file a SR-22 with their state DMV in order to drive a vehicle legally.
- The more you drive the more you pay – Driving more miles in a year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most insurance companies rate vehicles determined by how the vehicle is used. Autos that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Verify your auto insurance coverage properly reflects the proper vehicle usage. Incorrect usage on your Express 1500 may be wasting your money.
Car Insurance through a local agent
Certain consumers would prefer to buy from a local agent. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you someone to call. One of the best bonuses of price shopping on the web is that you can obtain the lowest rates but still work with a licensed agent.
After completing this short form, your insurance data is sent to companies who will give you bids for your coverage. There is no reason to drive around as quotes are delivered directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier!
Choosing an provider shouldn’t rely on just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:
- What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
- If your car is in the repair shop, do you have coverage for a rental car?
- Can they provide you with a list of referrals?
Car insurance agents in Texas come in two varieties
If you’re trying to find a reliable agent, there are two types of insurance agents from which to choose. Texas agents can either be captive or independent (non-captive). Both types can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different because it can influence the selection process.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agencies can only place business with one company and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to shop your coverage around so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agents are very knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies.
When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from.
For a full directory of auto insurance agents in Texas, visit this page.
After getting positive feedback to these questions and a low price estimate, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
Quote often and quote early
When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. In too many instances, someone sacrificed uninsured motorist or liability limits only to regret that it was a big error on their part. The aim is to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.
In this article, we presented a lot of information how to reduce Chevy Express 1500 insurance prices online. The key thing to remember is the more rate comparisons you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Consumers could even find that the lowest rates come from some of the lesser-known companies. Some small companies often have lower prices on specific markets than the large multi-state companies such as Allstate and Progressive.
To learn more about auto insurance in Texas
Even more information is located at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can view agent and company licensing information, read state legal mandates and laws, and discover disciplinary actions.