Buying the cheapest Baytown car insurance over the internet is problematic for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. When there are so many companies competing online, how can you even start to compare them all to find the cheapest available price?
How your Baytown rates are determined
It’s important that you understand the different types of things that play a part in calculating the rates you pay for car insurance. Understanding what determines base rates allows you to make educated decisions that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.
- How’s your driving record? – Good drivers have lower premiums than bad drivers. Just one ticket can increase rates twenty percent or more. Drivers who have serious citations such as DWI, reckless driving or hit and run convictions may need to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to continue driving.
- How your age affects price – Mature drivers are more cautious drivers, statistically cause fewer accidents and get fewer tickets. Teenage drivers are statistically proven to be less responsible in a vehicle therefore car insurance rates are much higher.
- Never let your coverage lapse – Allowing your car insurance policy to lapse will be a guaranteed way to trigger a rate increase. And not only will insurance be more expensive, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance can result in a steep fine or even jail time.
- Battle of the sexes – Statistics show that women are safer drivers than men. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Men and women tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also get cited for more serious violations like DUI and reckless driving. Male drivers age 16 to 19 are the most expensive to insure and therefore have the most expensive car insurance rates.
- Lower miles equals lower premium – The more you drive in a year the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Cars not used for work or commuting receive lower rates compared to those used for work or business. Ask your agent if your car insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Discounts can save BIG
Companies offering auto insurance don’t always list every discount in an easy-to-find place, so we break down both the well known as well as the least known ways to save on car insurance. If they aren’t giving you every credit you deserve, you are throwing money away.
- Discounts for Safe Drivers – Insureds without accidents can get discounts for up to 45% lower rates than drivers with accident claims.
- Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could save 15% off the personal injury premium cost.
- Save with a New Car – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
- Drivers Education – Require your teen driver to take driver’s ed class in high school.
- Federal Employees – Simply working for the federal government could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
- Clubs and Organizations – Affiliation with a professional or civic organization could qualify you for a break on car insurance.
Drivers should understand that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the entire cost. Most cut the cost of specific coverages such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. So even though it sounds like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, companies don’t profit that way.
To choose insurance companies offering car insurance discounts in Baytown, follow this link.
Buying car insurance locally
Certain consumers would rather sit down with an agent. Insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the lowest rates and still choose a local agent.
To help locate an agent, after submitting this simple form, the coverage information is submitted to local insurance agents who will return price quotes for your coverage. You don’t have to even leave your home as quotes are delivered to your email. How cool is that?!
Picking an insurance company needs to be determined by more than just the price. These questions are important to ask:
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Is vehicle damage repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
- Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- What insurance company do they write the most business with?
What types of auto insurance agents are in Baytown?
When researching a reliable agent, you need to know there are two different agency structures that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Baytown agents are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive. Both types can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different because it can impact buying decisions.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents can only write with one company and some examples include Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They usually cannot place coverage with different providers so they have to upsell other benefits. These agents receive extensive training on their company’s products which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only buy from captive agents mostly because of loyalty to the company and strong financial ratings.
Shown below is a short list of captive agents in Baytown who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Farmers Insurance Group – 10425 Eagle Dr – Baytown, TX 77520 – (281) 576-6036
- Allstate Insurance – 2301 N Alexander Dr # A – Baytown, TX 77520 – (281) 427-9062
- Farm Bureau Insurance – 10403 Eagle Dr – Baytown, TX 77520 – (281) 576-0407
Independent Insurance Agents
These agents are not locked into one company but instead can place your coverage with lots of companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and that require little work on your part. When shopping rates, we recommend you get quotes from at a minimum one independent agency for the best price selection. Most have the option of insuring with lesser-known insurance companies which may provide better rates.
The following are Baytown independent agents that can give you comparison quotes.
- Mark Farris Agency – 313 S Highway 146 # A – Baytown, TX 77520 – (281) 428-0996
- Liberty Insurance Group – 410 N Alexander Dr – Baytown, TX 77520 – (281) 420-3200
- Bill Kurtz Insurance – 3720 Decker Dr – Baytown, TX 77520 – (281) 424-4578
For a complete listing of licensed insurance agents in Baytown, please view this page.
After receiving good answers to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles.
Don’t believe everything you hear
Texas consumers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings by companies like GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. All the companies make an identical promise of big savings if you move to them.
How can each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.
All companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver they prefer to insure. For example, a desirable insured might be profiled as between the ages of 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has a short commute. A customer getting a price quote that hits that “sweet spot” receives the best rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.
Potential customers who do not match the “perfect” profile will be charged higher rates and ends up with the customer not buying. The ads state “customers who switch” not “people who quote” save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently advertise the way they do. That is why it is so important to compare as many rates as you can. You cannot predict which company will have the lowest rates.
Do I just need basic coverages?
When choosing coverage for your vehicles, there really is no “best” method to buy coverage. Each situation is unique.
These are some specific questions could help you determine whether you could use an agent’s help.
- Can I drive in Mexico and have coverage?
- What if I total my vehicle and owe more than it’s worth?
- What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- Can I get a multi-policy discount for packaging my home and auto coverage?
- Does my vehicle need full coverage?
- Do all my vehicles need collision coverage?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
- Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
- Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions but a few of them apply, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can provide invaluable advice.
More tips and info about car insurance is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can file complaints about a company, get help finding coverage, read state legal mandates and laws, and view a list of available companies.
More effort can pay off
Consumers change insurance companies for a variety of reasons including high prices, questionable increases in premium, delays in paying claims or unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason, finding a great new company is pretty simple and you could end up saving a buck or two.
As you restructure your insurance plan, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. In many cases, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that it was a big error on their part. Your goal should be to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.
Cost effective car insurance can be purchased both online as well as from independent agents in Baytown, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance providers don’t offer you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.