How To Buy Auto Insurance PDF Print E-mail
Written by Robin Smith   
Monday, 07 June 2010 15:46
When you're ready to buy auto insurance, don't just call up the first company you think of or renew the policy you already have. Take the time to shop around and compare rates, ask whether the company offers discounts, and determine the amount of coverage you need. Doing so can save you thousands of dollars each year.
by RobinSmith


When you're ready to buy auto insurance, don't just call up the first company you think of or renew the policy you already have. Take the time to shop around and compare rates, ask whether the company offers discounts, and determine the amount of coverage you need. Doing so can save you thousands of dollars each year.

Car insurance quotes may be hundreds of dollars more or less expensive at different companies, so you'll want to get quotes from as many companies as possible as you do your research. One way to do this is to take advantage of an internet comparison site. These websites will provide free quotes from various companies, giving you the information you need without the effort of calling each company individually.

Keep good records about quotes and discounts offered from each company to help you make your final decision. It's important to give each company the same information so that the quotes you receive are comparable.

It's important to know how much auto insurance coverage you're required to maintain by law before you purchase a policy. Coverage requirements vary from state to state, but most require some sort of bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. You may also need to purchase uninsured/under insured motorist coverage to protect yourself if the other driver does not have coverage.

Collision and comprehensive auto insurance are not usually required, but you may want to purchase one or both types of coverage if you own a new or expensive vehicle. Collision protects your car in the event of an accident and comprehensive coverage pays for damage due to other causes including water damage or theft.

One way to save on your insurance premium is to choose a high deductible. Although you'll pay lower premiums, you also take the risk of paying more for repairs if you're in an accident. Lower deductibles protect you from devastating out of pocket expense at the time of an accident, but you'll pay a little more each month.

Always ask a potential auto insurance company what kind of discounts are available. Most will give you lower premiums if you purchase more than one policy from them, if you take a class to reduce points on your license, or if you maintain a good driving record overall.

Good customer service can be just as important as cheap auto insurance rates, so make sure you call each company to evaluate their customer service before you buy a policy. Also, choose a company with a good reputation that has been in business for several years rather than buying the cheapest available policy from a company that might not be able to pay out on a large claim.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.