Shopping around for good deals on car insurance is the first step to saving money. There are several ways you can go. First, call around in your area to already established insurance companies and get quotes. Next, you can go online and find many insurance companies which can offer you discounts for just signing up with them. Always look into their history and decide if the company has been in business long enough to have built up a good reputation.
Keep a record of every company you call and jot down notes. If a company is too new, it may or may not be the one that will provide the service you need in case of emergencies. Some deals sound almost too good to be true, and most of the time, they may not be true. Look for the loopholes or catches in each offer. Bona fide insurance companies have good track records in paying off claims. They do it expeditiously and have satisfied customers. Also ask your friends about their insurance companies and the type of service they have received over the years. If your friends tell you they changed to a better company, check it out.
In my own experience, I found that I had been paying over the top premiums for my cars. The agent did not tell me that if I already had medical insurance with a reputable company, that would enable me to have a discount on my car insurance. He was evidently greedy, and it wasn’t until he retired that the new agent informed me of my right to have a discount. I had been paying for at least 17 years before I was aware of how I was treated. The company with which I did business then became oppressive. The monthly premiums got so large that I felt I was paying for a car note. I groaned every time I went there to pay the bill. It wasn’t until one of my relatives informed me that I was being ripped off, that I switched to another company. A brochure arrived in my mail offering a greatly reduced auto insurance package. I called and then went to see the agent. I discovered a large savings of over $800.00 per year with the new company. When I returned back to my former company and informed the secretary that I was switching, she bent over to me and said in a low voice, “You gotta do what you gotta do.” That was enough proof for me that my former insurance company was a dishonest.
I would advise anyone to thoroughly check out even offers that come in the mail. This is what I did despite the name of the new company which I had never even heard about. I also told other friends about it and one family came to me telling me by switching to the new company that I told them about, they had experienced a savings of $4,000 a year. The man of that household wanted to become an insurance agent for the company, needless to say.
There are good bargains out there. There are good, honest agents out there. It is up to you, the consumer to investigate for yourself. Call the Better Business Bureau and other consumer groups to see how your insurance company rates. You might also become aware that there are groups that qualify for reduced premiums. These groups include non-smokers, those who have had no traffic tickets, people who drive just a few miles each week, and those who have never had an accident. Always ask to see if your insurance agency caters to these groups with increased reductions.
Some banks and credit unions also offer good prices on car insurance. They have authorized agents and brokers who are able to provide you with quality companies who have been in business over the years. The fact that an agency has operated for a long period of time, however, does not always mean it is above board, such as I discovered in my experience.
As in anything else, the proof is in the pudding. Whenever you need to process a claim, you will find out how good your insurance company is in handling your claim. That same company which I mentioned that I’d had for 17 years never did process one of my claims. The adjuster never did come out, and even when I had an accident once, they acted reluctant to pay it. I should have known then, but I clung to them thinking they knew what they were doing. Actually, it was me who did not know what I was doing.
Buyer Beware! Make your insurance policy affordable for yourself. Try to get full coverage and a low deductible. Also make sure that the agency does at least come out and look at the car you are insuring and take photos of it. Some agencies do, and some don’t. Somehow I believe the ones that are just in it for your money, don’t even take the time to photograph your vehicle when insured. We sometimes get what we pay for. Insuring your car is a very important part of car ownership. Give yourself a heads up on this by being aware that insurance companies are trying to be on top. Ask as many questions as you want. Don’t be afraid if they look like they are upset. Get all the answers. If not, later on, you will be upset.