Finding the Best Rate on Auto Insurance

A lot people believe that they are paying too much for auto insurance, but they often do not know how to go about making a switch. Many are with captive agents who represent just one carrier and can only give them limited choices. And while they may like their agent, do they really like them enough to pay hundreds of dollars more each year than they should?

Shopping around for a better insurance rate may not be an exciting activity that you look forward to, but it is well worth it. The reason is that, although insurance companies look at similar factors when they set their rates, they all have their own methodologies, and different companies also a target different sectors of the consumer market.

For example, there are some companies that specialize in high risk insurance, and they may have very competitive rates for teen drivers, those with multiple traffic tickets, accidents, maybe a DUI on the record, etc., but higher rates for drivers with clean records. Other companies compete heavily for the drivers with a clean record, seniors, and others that would be in the low risk category, but they may not even insure a driver that they consider to be “high risk”.

Other variables that may factor into your auto insurance rate may include the type of vehicle you are driving, how many vehicles you recovering, your credit score, marital status, zip code you live in, miles driven per year, and which types of coverage you want to have. Be sure to look carefully at your coverages to make sure you are not over-insured or underinsured. And if you are not sure what types and amount of coverage you need, ask your agent to go over this information with you.

With so many variables that go into setting auto insurance rates, it makes good sense to compare rates from several different carriers to make sure you are getting the best deal. In fact, it is good practice to do this every couple of years. Carrier rates tend to edge up over time, and you may find that, even if you were getting a good deal a few years ago, there is now another carrier that can offer you a better rate.

The Best Way to Shop for the Best Car Insurance Rate: Shopping for auto insurance can be a tedious and time-consuming process if you are calling around to several agencies and filling out numerous online forms. But there is a better and easier way. By working with an independent insurance agent, you can let an unbiased professional do the shopping for you.

When you work with an independent insurance agent, they do all the work for you so you do not have to waste time speaking with each individual insurance company. An independent expert who knows the insurance industry can thoroughly examine all the policies and specific coverages that each carrier has to offer, so they can find you the one that best fits your needs and budget.