Insider Tricks to Paying Less for Dallas Texas Car Insurance
Have you fallen victim to an underperforming, overpriced car insurance policy? Believe me, you are not the only one feeling buyer’s remorse.
Because you have many different company options, it can be diffult for consumers to pick the most affordable provider.
It’s a good idea to shop coverage around quite often since insurance rates change quite often. Just because you had the lowest rates a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about car insurance because we’re going to demonstrate the right way to find great coverage at a great price.
Choosing the best insurance company for you in Dallas is not that difficult. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these tips. Although Texas consumers must learn how big insurance companies market insurance on the web and apply this information to your search.
Compare Car Insurance Today
There are a lot of ways to compare car insurance quotes, but there is one way that is less labor-intensive and much quicker. You can waste hours talking to local insurance agents in Dallas, or you could save time and use online quotes to get rate comparisons in just a few minutes.
Many companies belong to a marketplace that allows shoppers to complete one form, and each company provides a quote determined by their information. This prevents consumers from doing quote requests for every car insurance company.
To fill out one form to compare multiple rates now click to open in new window.
The one disadvantage to using this type of system is you are unable to specify which companies you will receive quotes from. So if you want to choose from a list of companies for rate comparison, we put together a list of low cost car insurance companies in Texas. Click here to view list.
It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just compare the exact same quote information for every company. If the quotes have different deductibles then you won’t be able to truly determine the lowest rate in Dallas. Quoting even small variations in insurance coverages can result in a big premium difference. It’s important to know that more quotes helps locate the best offered rates.
These discounts can slash car insurance rates
Car insurance companies don’t always publicize every discount very clearly, so here is a list some of the more common as well as the least known car insurance savings.
- Seat Belt Usage – Buckling up and requiring all passengers to use their safety belts can save 10% or more off the personal injury premium cost.
- Defensive Driver – Successfully completing a defensive driving course could possibly earn you a 5% discount if you qualify.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Cars that have factory anti-theft systems help deter theft and earn discounts up to 10%.
- Save with a New Car – Adding a new car to your policy can cost up to 25% less due to better safety requirements for new cars.
- More Vehicles More Savings – Having multiple cars or trucks on one policy can get a discount on all vehicles.
- Paperless Signup – Certain companies give back up to $50 just for signing your application online.
- Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Fewer annual miles could qualify for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
- Distant Student – Kids in college who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have a car may qualify for this discount.
- Organization Discounts – Being a member of a civic or occupational organization could trigger savings when shopping for car insurance.
A little note about advertised discounts, most credits do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like collision or personal injury protection. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.
To see a list of insurance companies with discount car insurance rates in Texas, follow this link.
How insurance companies determine rates
Consumers need to have an understanding of the different types of things that play a part in calculating the price you pay for car insurance. Understanding what controls the rates you pay helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to lower car insurance prices.
Shown below are some of the items that factor into prices.
- How many coverages with the same company – Some insurance companies provide better rates to people who consolidate policies with them. It’s known as a multi-policy discount. Discounts can add up to 10 percent or more. Even if you’re getting this discount you may still want to compare other company rates to ensure the best deal. Drivers may still find a better deal by insuring with multiple companies.
- Better credit scores mean better rates – Credit score is a big factor in your rate calculation. If your credit is lower than you’d like, you could save money insuring your by spending a little time repairing your credit. Drivers who have good credit tend to be better drivers and file fewer claims as compared to drivers with poor credit.
- Drive less and save money – Driving more miles in a year’s time the more you’ll pay to insure your vehicle. Most companies rate vehicles based on how the vehicle is used. Vehicles that are left in the garage qualify for better rates than those used for commuting. Verify your car insurance coverage shows the proper vehicle usage.
- More performance means more cost – The performance level of the vehicle you are insuring makes a significant difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are for low performance passenger cars, but there are many factors that impact the final cost.
Buying car insurance locally
Some people just want to get advice from a local agent and that is just fine! One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is the fact that you can find lower rates and still choose a local agent.
Once you complete this short form, your coverage information gets sent to agents in your area who will give you bids to get your business. You don’t have to leave your computer as quotes are delivered to your email. Now that’s easy! You’ll get the best rates AND a local agent.
Selecting a company needs to be determined by more than just the bottom line cost. Here are some questions to ask:
- Can glass repairs be made at your home?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- Are they full-time agents?
- Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Texas?
- Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
- How much can you save by raising your physical damage deductibles?
Do you need an independent or captive auto insurance agent?
When searching for an insurance agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents to choose from. Insurance agencies in Dallas are either captive or independent (non-captive).
Captive Insurance Agents
This type of agents can only place business with one company and some examples include American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents.
Below are captive agents in Dallas who can help you get comparison quotes.
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 6060 N Central Expy – Dallas, TX 75206 – (214) 987-2275
Texas Farm Bureau – 9560 Skillman St – Dallas, TX 75243 – (214) 340-8394
Farmers Insurance Group – 4222 Trinity Mills Rd # 206 – Dallas, TX 75287 – (972) 931-0101
State Farm Insurance – 17062 Preston Rd # 124 – Dallas, TX 75248 – (972) 931-7002
Allstate Insurance – 5485 Belt Line Rd # 110 – Dallas, TX 75254 – (972) 789-1111
Independent Agencies or Brokers
These agents are not locked into one company so they can insure your vehicles with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, your agent can switch companies and you don’t have to find a new agent.
When searching for an agent, you should always include at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection.
The following are independent insurance agents in Dallas who can help you get rate quotes.
Select General Agency – 16980 Dallas Pkwy – Dallas, TX 75248 – (972) 220-0742
Insurance Plus – 2555 Inwood Rd # 247 – Dallas, TX 75235 – (214) 351-4097
A-Affordable Insurance – 3714 W Ledbetter Dr # B – Dallas, TX 75233 – (214) 337-3336
Amtrust General Agency Inc – 8500 N Stemmons Fwy # 3040 – Dallas, TX 75247 – (214) 637-0100
Bing Bingham Agency – 6959 Arapaho Rd # 509 – Dallas, TX 75248 – (972) 490-6272
For a full directory of licensed insurance agents in Dallas, click here to link.
Once you have received acceptable answers to your questions as well as a affordable price, you’ve probably found a car insurance agent that is a good match to provide car insurance coverage.
Do I just need basic coverages?
When it comes to buying adequate coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no perfect coverage plan. Each situation is unique so this has to be addressed. For example, these questions could help you determine whether your personal situation might need professional guidance.
- Can I pay claims out-of-pocket if I buy high deductibles?
- Is my babysitter covered when using my vehicle?
- Where can I get insurance after a DUI in Texas?
- Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
- What companies insure drivers after a DUI or DWI?
- Can I afford low physical damage deductibles?
- Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
If you can’t answer these questions but a few of them apply, then you may want to think about talking to an agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form or click here for a list of car insurance companies in your area.
More tips and info about car insurance can be found at the Texas Department of Insurance website. Texas consumers can learn about specific coverages, download brochures, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.
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The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest
Low-cost car insurance is available both online and also from your neighborhood Dallas agents, and you should be comparing both to have the best selection. A few companies may not provide the ability to get a quote online and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.
We just covered a lot of techniques to get a better price on car insurance. The key thing to remember is the more rate quotes you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. Consumers may even find the best prices are with some of the lesser-known companies. Regional companies may have significantly lower rates on certain market segments than their larger competitors like Progressive and GEICO.
When you buy insurance online, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice liability limits or collision coverage only to regret at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford, not the least amount of coverage.