Sick and tired of paying out the nose to insure your vehicles every month? You are in the same boat as millions of other consumers. Consumers have many auto insurance companies to pick from, and although it’s a good thing to have a choice, too many choices makes it more difficult to compare rates and find the lowest cost auto insurance.
It’s important to do rate comparisons yearly since insurance rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price last year there is a good chance you can find better rates now. Starting now, forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re going to get a crash course in one of the easiest ways to save money, get proper coverage and the best rates.
Take advantage of discounts
The cost of insuring your cars can be expensive, but you may find discounts that can drop the cost substantially. Most are applied when you quote, but less common discounts must be asked for prior to receiving the credit. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you are throwing money away.
- Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for buying a policy before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.
- Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than drivers with accidents.
- Club Memberships – Belonging to a qualifying organization could trigger savings when buying auto insurance.
- Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 15% off your medical payments premium.
- Paperwork-free – Certain companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks just for signing your application digitally online.
- Claim Free – Claim-free drivers can save substantially compared to drivers who are more careless.
- Payment Discounts – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you could save up to 5%.
Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to the entire cost. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as collision or personal injury protection. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, it just doesn’t work that way. Any qualifying discounts will cut the amount you have to pay.
To choose companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Amarillo, click here.
Your personal situation dictates your coverage
When it comes to choosing coverage for your vehicles, there isn’t really a “best” method to buy coverage. Every situation is different and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. These are some specific questions might help in determining if you would benefit from professional advice.
- Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
- Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
- Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
- Do I need motorclub coverage?
- How high should my uninsured/underinsured coverage be in Texas?
- Are my tools covered if they get stolen from my vehicle?
- Will I be non-renewed for getting a DUI or other conviction?
- Are my friends covered when driving my vehicle?
- Do I have coverage when pulling a U-Haul trailer?
- Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an agent. To find an agent in your area, fill out this quick form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It’s fast, free and may give you better protection.
Are insurance agents a thing of the past?
Some consumers prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is OK! Agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. The best thing about comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to. And providing support for small agencies is especially important in Amarillo.
To make it easy to find an agent, after completing this quick form, your insurance coverage information is sent to agents in your area who will battle for your coverage. There is no need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. It doesn’t get any easier!
Captive agents vs. Independent agents
When looking for an insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Amarillo agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they differ since it may influence the type of agent you choose
Independent Agents
Independent agents are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To transfer your coverage to a different company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to contact at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection.
The following is a list of independent agencies in Amarillo that may be able to provide comparison quotes.
Mc Grew Agency – 3106 Amberwood Ln – Amarillo, TX 79106 – (806) 359-6186
Alice Brooks Agency – 2491 W Interstate 40 – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 359-9799
Upshaw Insurance – 612 W 9th Ave # A – Amarillo, TX 79101 – (806) 373-9971
Mc Carty Insurance – 6910 W 45th Ave # 10 – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 354-2925
Harris Agency – 1220 S Georgia St # F – Amarillo, TX 79102 – (806) 372-9100
Captive Agents
Captive agents have only one company to place business with and examples are Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so they have to upsell other benefits. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell which helps them compete with independent agents.
Listed below is a list of captive agents in Amarillo willing to provide price quote information.
Farm Bureau Insurance – 4021 W 50th Ave – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 358-0077
State Farm Insurance – 113 W 10th Ave – Amarillo, TX 79101 – (806) 379-7773
Farmers Insurance Group – 2700 S Western St # 700 – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 353-7774
Allstate Insurance – 3213 S Western St – Amarillo, TX 79109 – (806) 674-7270
To view a complete directory of captive insurance agencies in Amarillo, please click here.
Picking an insurance agency should depend on more than just the price. Agents should be asked these questions:
- Is working in the agency their full-time job?
- Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
- What are the financial ratings for the companies they represent?
- Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
- How long have they worked with personal auto insurance coverage?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- How are they compensated?
- Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?
After receiving positive feedback to all your questions and a low price estimate, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy.
Additional consumer information websites
Additional auto insurance information can be read on the website for the Texas Department of Insurance through this link. Visitors are able to download brochures, read state legal mandates and laws, and find disaster information.
Other informative sites include this site for Texas auto insurance information and this page where you can research Amarillo insurance agents.
Final thoughts
We’ve covered a lot of tips how to save on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate quotes you have, the higher the chance of saving money. Drivers may discover the best prices are with an unexpected company. These smaller insurers can often insure niche markets at a lower cost as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate and Progressive.
Low-cost auto insurance can be found online as well as from independent agents in Amarillo, so you should compare both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some insurance companies don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.