7 Ways to Save On Car Insurance When Shopping Online
Saturday, July 8, 2017
The Internet has revolutionized a variety of industries. From how we buy day-to-day goods to how we watch movies – it’s easier than ever to get things done online these days.
Car insurance is no different. Insurers have made it easier than ever to find auto coverage on the Internet. No need to pick up the phone or head down to a local insurance office.
All you have to do is spend some time online, and you’ll quickly have dozens of car insurance quotes at your fingertips. It’s that simple. While easy, it can be difficult to sort through all the ads and debris on the web trying to find the right quote at the right price.
7 Ways to Save On Car Insurance When Shopping Online
So, we wanted to make things easy. If you’re looking to get a great deal on car insurance, use these seven tips while looking online:
- Shop Around
A great thing about shopping around for auto insurance online is the convenience. You can get dozens of quotes within minutes. This allows you to compare prices, coverage options, and more.
Many companies even offer side-by-side comparison tools to help you find some good coverage at the ideal price. If you’re looking for ways to save while car insurance shopping online, it’s a great idea to start with one of these comparison tools.
- Before You Buy a Car
With online auto insurance quotes, you can keep all your information the same and just switch the cars. This allows you to look into the backend of the insurance industry’s algorithms.
You can use this to your advantage when considering buying a new car. Compare how much it will cost to insure a few different makes and models. You may find that one car you’re interested in costs significantly less to insure than another model.
- Always Check
The Internet makes it easy to do a rate check and compare what you’re currently paying with what you would pay by switching insurers. However, don’t get your hopes up too high.
If you have a clean driving record, haven’t filed any claims lately, and have been with one company for a while – then it’s highly unlikely you’ll find cheaper equivalent coverage from a different provider.
Insurers reward reliable, safe drivers who have a legacy with their company. It’s rare you’ll find a better deal. Plus, you don’t want to waste your good standing with one insurer just to switch because you found a better quote online.
- Don’t Be Afraid of High Deductibles
If you’ve had a good driving record for years, don’t drive much, or haven’t had an at-fault incident in a while – then don’t be afraid of a high deductible. By raising your deductible, you can save a lot of money on premiums.
A quick search online shows, that raising your deductible from $200 to $500 can lower your premiums by nearly 30%. If you’re willing to set your deductible to $1,000, your premiums may drop over 40% overnight.
- Find the Right Coverage Type
If you have a newer car, then collision is a must, and OTC (other-than-collision) should be added too. Collision coverage will pay for repairs to your vehicle if it crashes into another car, object, or if it flips. OTC covers stolen cars, vandalism, storm damage, and more.
For individuals with older cars, sticking with liability coverage may be all you need. There’s no reason to overpay for OTC (other-than-collision) or collision coverage on a clunker car.
If your ride is worth less than the combined value of your deductible plus what you pay for annual coverage, then it’s time to just stick with liability. In fact, if those numbers are even close, liability coverage should be considered.
- Bundle Policies
You’ll save money on car insurance by bundling your policy with your home insurance or another type of coverage. Nearly every insurer will offer you great discounts when you bundle.
It doesn’t matter if you bundle online or in-person with an agent. You’re still going to get great discounts. The benefit of the Internet is you can compare and contrast prices when bundling, too.
You can also look at what other people have said about bundling and see if your discount matches what they got. This can be a helpful negotiation tool.
- Understand Your Record
Your driving record and credit history play a role in how much you’ll pay for car insurance. It doesn’t matter if you call an insurance company, meet with an agent in-person, or search for quotes online.
No matter how you’re looking for coverage, the insurance companies still use the same algorithms to determine how much you will pay. This system takes into account many factors, including your driving record and credit score.
If you’ve been in a lot of accidents, gotten a DUI, or have a history of speeding tickets – you’re going to spend a decent chunk of change on car insurance. It won’t matter where you look or what company you work with.
Try as hard as you can to maintain a clean driving record. Always enter accurate information online. If you don’t, the insurance company will eventually find out, and your rates will mysteriously spike.
Save On Car Insurance When Shopping Online
The car insurance industry will always be the car insurance industry. Whether you get your quotes in-person or on the Internet, you’ll find that companies use similar equations to find out how much you’ll pay.
The benefit of shopping for car insurance online is the convenience. You can get dozens of quotes within hours and quickly compare what you’ll get. There’s less guesswork involved, and you don’t have to deal with sales tactics from an agent in-person.
Use the tips above to find a good deal for car insurance online. If you’re able to search for insurance policies proactively, before you buy a car, you should be able to save a good amount of money.
Another smart thing is to contact our team at ProtectiveAgency.com or call (877) 739-9367. Our licensed insurance agents will be happy to answer any questions you have.