10 Best Tricks to Slash Auto Insurance Costs in Chesapeake, VA

Are you overwhelmed by the wide range of auto insurance choices in Chesapeake? Many other consumers are too. Consumers have so many companies to choose from that it can easily become a big hassle to find the perfect company for you.

It’s smart to shop coverage around yearly due to the fact that insurance rates change quite often. Despite the fact that you may have had the best price last year other companies may now be cheaper. So just forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because I’m going to teach you the things you must know in order to reduce your cost while increasing coverage.

This information will let you in on how to effectively get price quotes and some tips to save money. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Virginia drivers only need an understanding of the most efficient way to buy auto insurance over the internet.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

There are a variety of methods you can shop for auto insurance but one way is less time-consuming than others. You can waste a lot of time talking about coverages with insurance agencies in Chesapeake, or you can stay home and use online quoting to get rates in a matter of minutes.

Many companies are enrolled in a marketplace that allows shoppers to submit their information once, and every company then returns a price quote based on that information. This saves time by eliminating quotation requests for every auto insurance company.

To find out how much you can save on auto insurance click to open in new window.

The single downside to doing it this way is that consumers can’t choose the companies you want to price. If you prefer to choose individual companies to compare rates, we have assembled a list of low cost auto insurance companies in Virginia. Click here to view list.

Which method you use is up to you, but make absolute certain that you use identical coverage limits with every price quote. If you enter different liability limits you can’t possibly truly determine the lowest rate in Chesapeake.

Do drivers who switch really save?

Consumers in Virginia can’t get away from ads that promise big savings from companies such as GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all seem to have a common claim that you’ll save big if you change your policy.

How can each company claim to save you money?

Insurance companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that makes them money. For instance, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 50, has no driving citations, and has a high credit rating. A customer who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and most likely will save when switching.

Consumers who don’t qualify for these standards will have to pay more money which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads state “people who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how companies can truthfully make those claims.

Because of the profiling, drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Discounts can save BIG

The price of auto insurance can be rather high, but there could be available discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some trigger automatically at quote time, but lesser-known reductions have to be inquired about before being credited. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you are throwing money away.

• E-sign – Some insurance companies may give you up to $50 just for signing your application on their website.
• Save over 55 – Older drivers may receive better auto insurance rates.
• Pay Upfront and Save – By paying your policy upfront rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
• Good Student – A discount for being a good student can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last well after school through age 25.
• Student Driver Training – Cut your cost by having your teen driver successfully complete driver’s ed class in high school.
• Low Mileage – Low mileage vehicles could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
• No Charge for an Accident – Certain companies permit an accident before hitting you with a surcharge as long as you don’t have any claims prior to the accident.
• More Vehicles More Savings – Buying coverage for multiple cars or trucks on one policy qualifies for this discount.
• Student in College – Youth drivers who live away from home and don’t have a car can receive lower rates.
• Memberships – Participating in certain professional organizations is a good way to get lower rates on auto insurance.

It’s important to note that most discounts do not apply to the entire cost. Some only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way. But any discount will help reduce your overall premium however.

For a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Virginia, click this link.

Will just any policy work for me?

When it comes to buying proper insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there really is not a “perfect” insurance plan. Each situation is unique.

For example, these questions can aid in determining if your situation might need professional guidance.

• Do I benefit by insuring my home with the same company?
• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Virginia?
• Is my dog or cat covered if injured in an accident?
• Does coverage extend to a rental car in a foreign country?
• Can I afford to pay high deductible claims out of pocket?
• Who is covered by my policy?
• Does my vehicle need full coverage?
• Am I covered when driving on a suspended license?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you know they apply to you, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, simply complete this short form. It only takes a few minutes and you can get the answers you need.

Additional information is located on the Virginia Bureau of Insurance website. Click here for link. Virginia drivers can read industry bulletins, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and read state legal mandates and laws.

Auto insurance coverage options

Understanding the coverages of your policy can be of help when determining which coverages you need at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be difficult to understand and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Comprehensive insurance – This coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like vandalism, theft, a tree branch falling on your vehicle and damage from a tornado or hurricane. The maximum payout you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Liability car insurance – Liability coverage provides protection from damage that occurs to people or other property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from claims by other people, and doesn’t cover your injuries or vehicle damage.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person, bodily injury for the entire accident, and a limit for property damage. As an example, you may have policy limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a limit of $25,000 paid for damaged property. Occasionally you may see a combined single limit or CSL which provides one coverage limit rather than limiting it on a per person basis.

Liability insurance covers things like medical expenses, emergency aid and funeral expenses. How much liability should you purchase? That is your choice, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as high a limit as you can afford. Virginia requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/20,000 but you should think about purchasing more coverage.

Collision – Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage caused by collision with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage pays for claims like rolling your car, colliding with another moving vehicle, crashing into a ditch and hitting a mailbox. Paying for collision coverage can be pricey, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) – This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. This coverage pays for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many Virginia drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/20 in Virginia), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages should not be overlooked. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are identical to your policy’s liability coverage.

Med pay and Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – Med pay and PIP coverage provide coverage for short-term medical expenses such as ambulance fees, prosthetic devices, chiropractic care and X-ray expenses. The coverages can be used in conjunction with a health insurance policy or if you are not covered by health insurance. It covers you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP is not available in all states but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Quote often and quote early

You just learned a lot of techniques to compare auto insurance prices online. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better chance you’ll have of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with some of the smallest insurance companies.

Drivers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including delays in paying claims, denial of a claim, delays in responding to claim requests or even poor customer service. It doesn’t matter what your reason, switching auto insurance companies is not as difficult as it may seem.

Low-cost auto insurance is possible on the web in addition to many Chesapeake insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies do not provide online price quotes and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.