10 Must-Know Tips When Shopping for New Orleans, LA Auto Insurance
Are you confused by the number of auto insurance choices in New Orleans? You’re not the only one! People have so many options available that it can be a challenge to find better rates.
It’s important to compare prices at least once a year because insurance rates change frequently. If you had the lowest price a couple years back a different company probably has better rates today. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to the only way to get good coverage at a lower rate.
How to Get New Orleans Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes
All the larger auto insurance companies such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO give prices on their websites. Getting online rates is pretty easy as you just enter the coverage amounts you desire into the quote form. Once you submit the form, their rating system will obtain credit information and your driving record and quotes a price based on these and other factors.
This streamlines rate comparisons, but the work required to visit multiple sites and type in the same information can get tiresome after awhile. But it is imperative to do this if you want to find the best price possible.
A less time-consuming method to find lower prices uses one form that obtains quotes from a lot of companies. The form is fast, reduces the work, and makes rate comparisons much simpler. After your information is entered, it is quoted and you are able to buy any or none of the quotes that you receive. If the quotes result in lower rates, you can click and sign and buy the new coverage. The entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes and you will find out if you’re overpaying now.
To find out how much you can save on auto insurance, click here and enter your vehicle and coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you input the coverage information identical to your current policy. This way, you are getting an apples-to-apples comparison based on the exact same insurance coverage.
Save money by taking advantage of these discounts
Companies offering auto insurance don’t list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the best known and the harder-to-find auto insurance savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.
- Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
- 55 and Retired – Older drivers may be able to get reduced rates.
- Memberships – Being a member of a qualifying organization could trigger savings on your policy.
- Resident Student – Youth drivers living away from home attending college and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
- Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down could qualify for better rates on cars that stay parked.
- Sign Early and Save – Some insurance companies reward drivers for buying a policy before your current expiration date. It can save you around 10%.
- Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military could mean lower rates.
- Good Students Pay Less – Performing well in school can earn a discount of 20% or more. This discount can apply up until you turn 25.
It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to your bottom line cost. A few only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as liability, collision or medical payments. So when the math indicates it’s possible to get free car insurance, companies don’t profit that way.
Won’t my local insurance agent miss me?
Certain consumers just want to talk to a local agent and that is a personal choice. Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find the best rates but also keep your business local.
For easy comparison, once you complete this short form, the coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will battle to get your business. There is no need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!
Picking an insurance company should depend on more than just the premium amount. Ask your prospective agent these questions:
- Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
- Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
- Are there any discounts that you might be missing?
- Who are their largest clients?
- If your car is totalled, how to they determine the replacement cost?
- Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
- Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
- Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Louisiana?
The type of insurance agent you choose is important
When finding a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of insurance agents to choose from. Insurance agencies in New Orleans are categorized either captive or independent (non-captive). While both can do a good job, but it’s worth learning how they are different because it can influence your selection of an agent.
Agency Captives
Captive agents can only place business with one company such as State Farm, AAA, Farmers Insurance or Allstate. They usually cannot give you multiple price quotes so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agents are trained well on their company’s products and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently buy from captive agents mostly because of loyalty to the company and solid financial strength.
Listed below are captive insurance agencies in New Orleans willing to provide comparison quotes.
- Allstate Insurance – 3146 Calhoun St – New Orleans, LA 70125 – (504) 861-2700
- State Farm Insurance – 7301 Downman Rd – New Orleans, LA 70126 – (504) 241-4066
Independent Agencies or Brokers
Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with any number of different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part. When comparison shopping, it’s a good idea to contact several independent insurance agents for the best price selection. They also have the ability to place coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.
Below are independent agents in New Orleans that can give you price quote information.
- Direct General Ins Agency – 5703 Read Blvd # B – New Orleans, LA 70127 – (504) 244-0733
- Direct General Ins Agency – 6023 Chef Menteur Hwy – New Orleans, LA 70126 – (504) 241-1055
- ABC Insurance – 3161 Gentilly Blvd # 201 – New Orleans, LA 70122 – (504) 288-0123
- Scheinuk Agency Inc – 7927 Maple St – New Orleans, LA 70118 – (504) 866-1221
- Assurnet Insurance – 7240 Crowder Blvd # 104 – New Orleans, LA 70127 – (504) 246-2222
For a full directory of insurance agents in New Orleans, simply jump to this page.
After receiving reasonable responses and locked in a price quote, chances are good that you have found an insurance agency that can provide auto insurance coverage.
Everyone needs different coverages
When choosing adequate coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Every situation is different.
Here are some questions about coverages that may help highlight whether your personal situation will benefit from professional help.
- Do I qualify for additional discounts?
- Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
- Is rental equipment covered for theft or damage?
- Is my custom paint covered by insurance?
- Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
- Who is covered by my policy?
- Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with a licensed agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.
Smart Buyers can Save Money
Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that help determine your auto insurance rates. When you know what positively or negatively influences your rates allows you to make educated decisions that could result in lower auto insurance prices.
The following are a partial list of the pieces companies use to determine premiums.
- Protect your assets with liability insurance – Your policy’s liability coverage is the coverage that protects you if you are found liable for personal injury or accident damage. Liability provides for a legal defense which can be incredibly expensive. Carrying liability coverage is mandatory and cheap as compared to coverage for physical damage, so drivers should carry high limits.
- Add-on coverages can add up – There are many extra coverages you can purchase when buying auto insurance. Insurance for roadside assistance, better glass coverage and motor club memberships are some examples. These may sound like a good investment when talking to your agent, but if you don’t need them eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
- Pay less after the wedding – Having a spouse can get you a discount on auto insurance. Having a significant other usually means you are more responsible and it’s proven that being married results in fewer claims.
- Where you live can impact rates – Being located in small towns and rural areas is a positive aspect when buying auto insurance. Less people living in that area means a lower chance of having an accident. Drivers who live in large Louisiana cities tend to have more traffic problems and a longer drive to work. Longer commute distances means more change of being in an accident.
- The type of vehicle makes a difference – The make and model of the vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a substantial difference in determining your rates. The lowest rates are for small economy passenger vehicles, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
- The more you drive the more you pay – The more you drive each year the higher your rate. Almost all companies rate vehicles based on their usage. Autos used primarily for pleasure use receive lower rates as compared to vehicles used primarily for driving to work. Double check that your auto insurance policy properly reflects the correct driver usage, because improper ratings can cost you money.
Switch companies and save? Really?
Louisiana consumers get pounded daily by advertisements for cheaper car insurance from the likes of Progressive, Allstate and GEICO. All the ads have a common claim of big savings if you change your coverage to them.
But how can every company make almost identical claims? It’s all in the numbers.
Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the driver that is profitable for them. For example, a desirable insured could possibly be a mature driver, owns a home, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any driver who matches those parameters receives the best rates and is almost guaranteed to pay quite a bit less when switching companies.
Consumers who are not a match for this ideal profile must pay more money which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. Company advertisements say “customers that switch” not “everybody who quotes” save money. That is how insurance companies can make those claims. This illustrates why you should get a wide range of price quotes. It’s just too difficult to predict which company will give you the biggest savings.
Shop smart and save
Drivers who switch companies do it for any number of reasons including not issuing a premium refund, being labeled a high risk driver, policy non-renewal and denial of a claim. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company can be pretty painless.
When shopping online for auto insurance, make sure you don’t buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured dropped uninsured motorist or liability limits only to discover later that the savings was not a smart move. Your strategy should be to buy the best coverage you can find at the best price while still protecting your assets.
The cheapest auto insurance is attainable on the web and with local New Orleans insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. A few companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.
More tips and info about auto insurance can be found at the Louisiana Department of Insurance website. Louisiana drivers can learn about specific coverages, find a variety of consumer forms, and report car insurance fraud.
The articles below may also help you learn more about auto insurance in New Orleans