Finding the best price on Pasadena auto insurance can seem like an uphill battle if you have never used online price comparisons. But don’t be discouraged because finding affordable coverage online is easier than you think.
It’s smart to do rate comparisons on a regular basis because rates fluctuate regularly. Just because you found the best rates a year ago other companies may now be cheaper. Don’t believe everything you read about auto insurance on the web, but with this article, you’re going to get some tested techniques to save money.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison in Pasadena, TX
The are a couple different ways to compare rate quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. The easiest way to find the lowest rates is to get quotes online. This can be done in a couple of different ways.
- The fastest way to find low rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This method saves time by eliminating repetitive form submissions for each company. One simple form will get you rate comparisons from multiple companies. It’s definitely the quickest method.
- A different way to get quotes online requires a visit to the website for each individual company and request a quote. For sake of this example, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from GEICO, 21st Century and Farmers. To get each rate you have to visit each site and enter your policy data, and that’s why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Pasadena, click here.
- The hardest way to compare rates is to drive around to and from local Pasadena insurance agencies. Shopping for auto insurance online makes this process obsolete unless you require the professional advice of a licensed agent. Drivers can compare online quotes and get advice from an agent in your area and you’ll learn how to do that later.
It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just compare exactly the same information with every price quote. If you are comparing different values for each quote it’s not possible to make a fair comparison in Pasadena. Quoting even small variations in coverages may result in large price differences. And when comparing auto insurance rates, know that getting more free quotes provides better odds of finding a better price.
Do you qualify for discounts?
Car insurance companies do not list every discount very clearly, so we break down both the well known and also the lesser-known auto insurance savings.
- Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Paperless Signup – A few companies will give a small break simply for signing digitally online.
- Payment Discounts – If you pay your bill all at once instead of paying each month you can actually save on your bill.
- Club Memberships – Participating in certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
- Anti-theft Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
It’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Some only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it just doesn’t work that way.
To choose insurers with discount auto insurance rates in Pasadena, click here to view.
Good Decisions Result in Lower Rates
An important part of buying insurance is that you know the different types of things that come into play when calculating the rates you pay for auto insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels allows you to make educated decisions that will entitle you to better auto insurance rates.
- More people means more accidents – Choosing to live in a small town has it’s advantages when insuring your vehicles. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft. Drivers in populated Texas areas regularly have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Higher commute times can result in more accidents.
- Please use or commuting – The more you drive in a year’s time the higher your rates will be. Most insurance companies charge to insure your cars based on how the vehicle is used. Autos used primarily for pleasure use qualify for better rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance policy shows the correct driver usage.
- Policy add-ons can waste money – There are a ton of add-on coverages that you can buy on your auto insurance policy. Coverages like roadside assistance, towing coverage and additional equipment coverage are examples of these. They may seem good at first, but now you might not need them so get rid of them and save.
- Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Choosing a vehicle with an alarm system can help bring down rates. Anti-theft devices such as GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers can thwart car theft.
- Safer cars are cheaper to insure – Vehicles with high crash test scores are cheaper to insure. Safer cars reduce injuries and any reduction in injury severity means lower claim amounts and thus lower rates.
- Never go without insurance – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse will be a quick way to bump up your auto insurance costs. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance can result in a revoked license or a big fine.
- How your age affects price – Young drivers in Texas have a tendency to get distracted easily when driving so they pay higher auto insurance rates. If you’ve ever had to add a teen driver to your policy can break the bank. More mature drivers are more responsible, tend to file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
Comparing rates from local agents
Some consumers just want to sit down with an agent and that is just fine! The biggest benefit of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates but also keep your business local.
After filling out this simple form, your coverage information is sent to participating agents in Pasadena who will compete to get your business. There is no need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates and an insurance agent to talk to.
Picking a company shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:
- If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- Are you getting all the discounts the company offers?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
Choose an insurance agent wisely
When looking for a reliable agent, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Pasadena agents are categorized either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive insurance agents can only write with one company like Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so keep that in mind. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers often buy from captive agents mostly because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.
The following are Pasadena captive agents that can give you price quotes.
- Farmers Insurance Group – 1034 Shaver St # D – Pasadena, TX 77506 – (713) 477-1144
- Allstate Insurance – 4111 Fairmont Pkwy # 108 – Pasadena, TX 77504 – (281) 998-2211
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they have the ability to put coverage with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When comparison shopping, you should always contact multiple independent agents to ensure the widest selection of prices. Most have the option of insuring with smaller companies which may provide better rates.
Shown below are Pasadena independent agencies willing to provide price quote information.
- America Standard Agency-Tx – 1703 Shaver St – Pasadena, TX 77502 – (713) 777-2886
- John Phelps Insurance Inc – 4207 Fairmont Pkwy – Pasadena, TX 77504 – (281) 998-5000
- Johnnie H Eddins Agency – 515 Main St – Pasadena, TX 77506 – (713) 477-3608
- David Walker Agency – 1710 E Martha Ln – Pasadena, TX 77502 – (713) 661-8498
- Joey Cotton Insurance – 2936 E Beltway 8 Pkwy S – Pasadena, TX 77503 – (281) 487-4886
To view a full list of auto insurance agents in Pasadena, visit this site.
After receiving reasonable responses for all questions you ask and an acceptable price quote, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to service your policy.
It’s not one size fits all
When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no best way to insure your cars. Every situation is different.
These are some specific questions may help highlight if you will benefit from professional help.
- I don’t drive much so do I pay less?
- What is the difference between comprehensive and collision coverage?
- Does medical payments coverage apply to all occupants?
- Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
- Is there coverage for injuries to my pets?
- Does my policy cover me when driving someone else’s vehicle?
If you can’t answer these questions but one or more may apply to you, you may need to chat with an insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.
More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Consumers can discover disciplinary actions, read enforcement actions against agents and companies, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.
Final thoughts
Discount auto insurance can be sourced both online and also from your neighborhood Pasadena agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies may not provide you the ability to get quotes online and these smaller companies work with independent agents.
While you’re price shopping online, never skimp on coverage in order to save money. Too many times, consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.
People leave their current company for a variety of reasons including high prices, being labeled a high risk driver, an unsatisfactory settlement offer and even unfair underwriting practices. Regardless of your reason for switching companies, choosing a new insurance company is not as hard as you think.