Victoria Berezhetska Getting appropriate auto insurance coverage may be quite challenging these days. It’s easy to get confused while looking for the best auto insurance and choose the one that doesn’t suit your needs. Understanding which factors are key in making a well-informed decision and following the best practices will help you choose car insurance without spending too much time and resources.
The Protection Level
Let’s start by looking at the essential aspects you need to consider to choose car insurance that provides the required level of protection on the road:
- State requirements for auto insurance: Knowing your state’s mandatory coverage types and minimum liability limits is crucial. These are minimum requirements, which may not provide sufficient coverage if you get into a serious accident. That’s why it’s often recommended to consider additional coverage.
- The value of your car: Comprehensive collision coverage would be best for car owners with expensive cars to protect them against damages or total loss. Older vehicles may not require as much coverage.
- Financial situation: Evaluate your financial situation, including your assets and savings. Higher liability limits could help to protect you during lawsuits when the accident was your fault.
- Risk factors: Your driving habits, the frequency and length of your commute, your area, and others can help determine if you should consider additional coverage, like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, to protect against accidents involving drivers with insufficient auto insurance.
The Main Insurance Coverage Types
When it comes to car insurance, the U.S. market has several types of insurance for cars to offer. Familiarizing yourself can help you make a better decision when choosing the right auto insurance policy:
| Auto liability coverage | It’s a mandatory type of auto insurance in almost all states across the US. This auto insurance covers bodily injuries and property damage liability caused by you in an at-fault accident. It usually includes medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and legal defense costs for the injured party. |
| Collision coverage | This coverage protects against damages in accidents involving a collision with another car or a certain object, no matter whose fault it was. It covers the car repair or costs for replacing your auto up to its actual cash value (ACV) minus your chosen deductible. Collision coverage is generally required if you lease or finance your car. According to Forbes, the vast majority of drivers buy liability car insurance, and 75% purchase collision coverage. |
| Comprehensive coverage | This auto insurance type covers damages caused by other accidents like theft, vandalism, fire, natural disasters, falling objects, and damage from hitting an animal. Similar to collision coverage, comprehensive coverage reimburses you up to the ACV of your vehicle minus the deductible. |
| Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage | If you get in an accident and the other drivers have no insurance, or the one they have is incapable of covering your losses, that’s exactly the auto insurance you need. Uninsured motorist coverage provides coverage for car damages and medical-related expenses. UM/UIM coverage can also include hit-and-run incidents. |
| Medical payments coverage | MedPay is medical expense coverage that helps you pay for hospital bills, surgery, and other medical-related expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who was responsible for an accident. |
| Personal Injury Protection (PIP) | It’s similar to MedPay but provides broader coverage, as it usually covers medical expenses and other related costs, even if the accident was your fault. Personal injury protection coverage may be mandatory in some no-fault insurance states, where each driver’s insurance pays for their policyholders’ damages regardless of fault. |
| Roadside Assistance | That type of assistance typically covers the cost of services in common roadside emergencies, such as a flat tire, dead battery, etc. |
Analysis of Various Pricing Points
Source: Financial Times The prices for auto insurance keep growing every year, so you should look for options that won’t cause financial hardships. Make sure to get free quotes for auto insurance from providers in your area to compare coverage options and prices. To choose car insurance, look for reviews from other clients, read about their experience, or consult with independent insurance agents. This way, you’ll get a better understanding of what your experience is going to look like. You will see which auto insurance policy would suit your specific situation. But remember that looking into the insurer’s financial stability and customer service reputation is essential.
Opportunities To Reduce Auto Insurance Costs
Auto insurance companies often offer various discounts that can help reduce premiums. These include safe driver discounts, good student discounts, bundling multiple policies, or installing anti-theft devices. Ask about all available discounts and take advantage of those that apply to your situation.
Setting Deductibles
A deductible is one of the features of auto insurance, which equals the amount you pay toward an accident or a claim by yourself before your insurance coverage kicks in. You will typically get lower premiums if you decide to have a higher deductible. However, evaluating your financial situation and determining how much you can afford to pay in case of an accident or a claim is necessary.
How To Purchase Auto Insurance: Step-by-Step Guide
Purchasing car insurance involves going through several important steps you get the right coverage to suit your needs. Follow the simple steps in this guide, so you can quickly buy the needed auto insurance:
Step 1. Assess Your Coverage Needs
As you choose car insurance, consider the value of your vehicle, your driving habits, the level of risk you’re comfortable with, and the main legal requirements in your state. That’s how you determine which type of auto insurance coverage is most suitable for your vehicle.
Step 2. Research Insurance Companies and Gather All Essential Info
The second important step is finding reputable insurance companies offering auto insurance coverage. Consider their financial stability, customer service reputation, claims process efficiency, and available discounts. Don’t forget to go through reviews and ratings on various platforms and forums to get an idea of customer experiences with different insurers. Collect essential information required to obtain accurate auto insurance quotes. It typically includes details about your car (brand, model, year, mileage), driving history, and other personal information.
Step 3. Get Multiple Quotes For Auto Insurance and Compare Options
You should get auto insurance quotes from several companies to compare the pricing points and coverage options offered for a certain price. You can do this by visiting the insurers’ websites, using online comparison tools, or contacting insurance agents directly. Provide the same information to each insurer to ensure accurate auto insurance comparisons. 
Source: CNBC You should also take into consideration which state you’re living in. Vermont, New Hampshire, and Main are famous for being the cheapest states for full coverage car insurance. If we’re talking about Florida, New York, and Louisiana, be ready to pay more, as here, the average car insurance is the most expensive. Review the coverage options and compare the limits, deductibles, and any additional benefits or discounts so that you can choose car insurance accordingly.
Step 4. Evaluate Costs and Deductibles and Look For Discounts
Source: MarketWatch Ask auto insurance providers about any discount auto insurance available to you. Among the typical discounts that insurance companies may offer, you can find safe driver discounts, good student discounts, multi-policy discounts (bundling auto and home insurance), anti-theft device discounts, and discounts for low mileage or usage-based insurance programs. Consider the premium costs for each auto insurance quote and assess the deductibles associated with the coverage. A higher deductible means lower premiums, but choose a deductible that you can comfortably afford if you get a claim.
Step 5. Read The Policy Documents Carefully
Once you choose car insurance company and policy, carefully read the documents before making a final decision. Read the terms and conditions of each policy carefully to ensure you understand what you will be signing. Moreover, you should check the coverage limits, exclusions, and any additional benefits or discount auto insurance options offered. If you have any additional questions, contact the insurance company or agent directly for clarification.
Step 6. Purchase the Most Suitable Policy
Make yourself familiar with the minimum liability coverage mandated by your state, especially bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Understanding these requirements will help you establish a baseline for your auto insurance and avoid penalties or legal issues. Contact the insurance company or agent to finalize the purchase of the policy. Provide the necessary information and complete any required paperwork. Always thoroughly review the information before signing any documents.
Step 7. Review and Update Every Year
You should understand all the terms and conditions of the chosen policy. Besides, check the coverage limits, exclusions, and any additional benefits or discounts offered. Life circumstances can change, and you may require adjustments to your coverage.
Top 5 Car Insurance Providers
Among the current best auto insurance providers, you can find American Family, which is considered best for the low level of complaints; Auto-Owners voted best for drivers that were the cause of an accident; Nationwide for great mileage-based insurance; USAA for military members and veterans, and GEICO, which is rated to be the best overall.
Conclusion
When you choose car insurance, carefully analyze your needs, state requirements, coverage options, deductibles, and discounts. Thorough research and regular review of your policy are key to having proper car insurance without the worry that you’re overpaying for something you’re not using. It’s also recommended to consult with an insurance agent who can provide personalized advice based on your specific circumstances. They will clarify the available options and guide you in choosing the appropriate auto insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best auto insurance company?
The best insurance companies are not always the most expensive ones, and Geico is an example of cheap auto insurance, which is also one of the best. Currently, one of the top car insurance companies is considered to be Geico. It’s also viewed as one of the cheapest on the market, with the price for full coverage auto insurance 24% cheaper than the average nationwide.
How much auto insurance do I need?
Key aspects like legal requirements in your particular state, personal circumstances, and level of risk tolerance often determine this. Firstly, consider your circumstances. Are you leasing a vehicle, or do you own it? Is your car new or used? Understanding your needs will enable you to select appropriate coverage options.
Your driving habits are also may be affecting your choice. For example, if it takes you a long time to get to work or you need to often drive in areas with a lot of traffic, you might want to check out higher coverage limits.
How do I find the cheapest car insurance company?
Finding the cheapest car insurance company may be quite challenging, as it involves researching and comparing quotes on auto insurance from multiple providers. Visit insurance company websites, use online tools, or contact insurance agents directly.
Review the coverage options and premiums provided by each insurance company. Compare auto insurance types, coverage limits, deductibles, and additional benefits or discounts. Pay attention to specific policy details and exclusions that may impact the overall value.
On top of that, consider the available discounts each insurance company offers, which are usually safe driver discounts, low mileage discounts, usage-based insurance programs, and others.
What is the best way you can save on your car insurance?
While insurance premiums are influenced by several factors beyond our control, there are strategies you can use to reduce your auto insurance costs. You should choose a higher deductible that can lower your premium.
It would help if you also took advantage of available discounts, including safe driver discounts, good student discounts, multi-policy discounts, anti-theft discounts, and discounts for low mileage or usage-based insurance programs.
Having a good driving record with no accidents can lower insurance premiums. Safe driving habits demonstrate your reliability to the insurer so that they may reward you with lower rates over time. And if you have multiple insurance needs, such as auto and home insurance, consider bundling your policies with the same insurance provider.
Victoria is a Senior Content Writer at American REIA. She helps customers find the right educational material through easily-digestible blog posts and buying guides backing their insurance coverage choice. Victoria covers the latest industry news and various insurance topics, including auto, home, health, and life insurance.
