I can’t think of a single person who looks forward to buying auto insurance, especially when the cost is too high. With so many insurance companies to choose from, it can be diffult for consumers to choose the best car insurance company.
You should make it a habit to price shop coverage periodically because insurance rates change frequently. If you had the lowest price last year there may be better deals available now. You can find a lot of misleading information regarding auto insurance online but with this article, you’re going to get some great ideas on how to put money back in your pocket.
Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Longview, Texas
Finding cheaper auto insurance prices can be relatively painless. Consumers just need to invest a few minutes getting comparison quotes provided by online insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.
- The recommended way to get quotes would be an industry-wide quote request form (click to open form in new window). This easy form eliminates the need for separate quotes for each company you want a rate for. One simple form will get you rate comparisons from auto insurance companies with the best prices.
- A harder way to compare rate quotes requires a trip to each individual company website to request a price quote. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Farmers, GEICO and Allstate. You would have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method.
For a handy list of car insurance company links in Longview, click here.
- The least recommended method of getting rate comparisons is to spend your day driving to and from local Longview insurance agencies. The ability to buy insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a need for the professional advice that only a license agent can provide. It is possible to compare the best prices online but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.
Whichever way you use, make absolute certain that you use the exact same coverage limits with every price quote. If you enter different limits and deductibles on each one it’s not possible to find the best deal in Longview.
Do drivers who switch really save $465 a year?
Consumers constantly see and hear ads for the lowest price auto insurance by State Farm, Allstate and GEICO. They all have a common claim that you can save after switching to their company.
But how can every company make the same claim? This is how they do it.
Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of driver they prefer to insure. An example of a profitable customer could possibly be over the age of 50, is a homeowner, and has a short commute. A customer who matches those parameters will get the preferred rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.
Consumers who are not a match for the requirements will be quoted higher rates which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much. That is how companies can claim big savings. This emphasizes why you absolutely need to get a wide range of price quotes. Because you never know which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.
Learn How to Buy Auto Insurance Cheaper
Consumers need to have an understanding of some of the elements that come into play when calculating your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay enables informed choices that will entitle you to lower auto insurance prices.
- How your age affects price – Young drivers in Texas are known to be careless and easily distracted in a vehicle so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
- The type of vehicle makes a difference – The performance level of the car you are buying insurance for makes a significant difference in the rate you pay. The most favorable rates tend to be for low performance passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
- Too many auto insurance claims drive up costs – Auto insurance companies in Texas generally give cheaper rates to policyholders who file claims infrequently. If you file claims often, you can look forward to either higher rates or even cancellation. Car insurance is designed for larger claims.
- Never allow your policy to lapse – Driving with no insurance is a misdemeanor and as a result your rates will increase for letting your insurance lapse. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.
- Bad driving skills means higher rates – Your driving record has a big impact on rates. Even a single citation can bump up the cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who don’t get tickets tend to pay less for car insurance than people who have multiple driving citations. Drivers who get severe violations like DUI or reckless driving may be required to file a proof of financial responsibility form (SR-22) with the DMV in their state in order to drive a vehicle legally.
- High deductibles save money – Coverage for physical damage, also known as collision and other-than-collision, is used to repair damage to your car. Some instances where coverage would apply could be collision with another vehicle, vandalism, and rolling your vehicle. The deductibles are how much you are willing to pay out-of-pocket if you file a covered claim. The more expense you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the lower your rates will be.
You probably qualify for some discounts
Auto insurance companies don’t list all available discounts very well, so we break down some of the more common and the more hidden auto insurance savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.
- Multi-car Discount – Buying insurance for more than one vehicle with the same company could earn a price break for each car.
- Student in College – Youth drivers who are attending college and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
- Driver Safety – Completing a defensive driving course could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who avoid accidents may save up to 50% more than less cautious drivers.
- Driver’s Ed – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to successfully complete driver’s ed class in high school.
Drivers should understand that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. A few only apply to the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when the math indicates you would end up receiving a 100% discount, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
For a list of insurers with the best auto insurance discounts in Longview, click here.
Can’t I compare rates from local Longview agents?
Some consumers prefer to get advice from a local agent and that is OK! Licensed agents can answer important questions and give you peace of mind. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the lowest rates and still have an agent to talk to.
To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, the coverage information gets sent to agents in your area who will battle for your coverage. There is no reason to leave your house as quotes are delivered immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!
Picking an provider should depend on more than just the bottom line cost. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
- Does the company allow you to choose your own collision repair facility?
- What insurance companies do they work with?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
Shown below is a short list of insurance companies in Longview who can help you get comparison quotes.
Bigham Insurance – 1007 Martin Luther King Blvd, Longview, TX 75602 – (903) 753-5296
Dalton Lipsey State Farm Ins – 1708 S High St, Longview, TX 75602 – (903) 758-8325
Farmers Insurance Group – 413 Gilmer Rd, Longview, TX 75604 – (903) 758-6355
Martin Insurance – 3537 Gilmer Rd, Longview, TX 75604 – (903) 297-5766
Ward Agency – 1800 W Loop 281 # 207, Longview, TX 75604 – (903) 297-5546
Farm Bureau Insurance – 716 Glencrest Ln # C, Longview, TX 75601 – (903) 757-5797
Allstate Insurance – 414 E Loop 281 # 15, Longview, TX 75605 – (903) 753-5433
Once you have positive feedback to these questions as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found an provider that will insure your vehicles.
In conclusion
Cheap auto insurance can be sourced online in addition to many Longview insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. Some auto insurance companies do not provide online quoting and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.
As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, don’t be tempted to buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. There have been many situations where drivers have reduced comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that they should have had better coverage. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
We’ve covered a lot of information how to shop for auto insurance online. The key concept to understand is the more quotes you get, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Consumers could even find that the lowest rates come from the smaller companies. These companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates than the large multi-state companies such as State Farm and Allstate.
More detailed Texas auto insurance information can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can find out industry alerts, find disaster information, and read industry bulletins.