10 Simple Tricks to Slash Car Insurance Costs in Northfield

If you’re new to shopping for car insurance online, it’s easy to get overwhelmed because of the huge number of online car insurance companies and websites offering insurance in Northfield.

It’s smart to get comparison quotes on a regular basis because prices fluctuate regularly. Even if you think you had the lowest price six months ago you may be paying too much now. Starting now, forget all the misinformation about car insurance because you’re going to learn how to use online quotes to lower your annual insurance bill.

Finding affordable coverage in Northfield is not rocket science. If you have a current car insurance policy or need a new policy, you can use this information to reduce the price you pay and still get good coverage. Vermont consumers only need an understanding of the most effective way to compare prices over the internet.

Discounts can save BIG

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always advertise every available discount in a way that’s easy to find, so we researched some of the more common as well as the least known car insurance savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Drivers Education – Make teen driver coverage more affordable by requiring them to enroll in driver’s education if offered at their school.
• Early Signing – Some companies give discounts for switching to them before your current policy expires. This can save 10% or more.
• Defensive Driving Course – Completing a driver safety course could possibly earn you a 5% discount and easily recoup the cost of the course.
• More Vehicles More Savings – Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
• One Accident Forgiven – Certain companies allow you one accident before your rates go up as long as you don’t have any claims for a certain period of time.
• Sign Online – A handful of insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying a policy and signing up over the internet.
• Auto/Life Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give lower rates if you buy life insurance.
• Multiple Policy Discount – When you have multiple policies with one insurance company you will save approximately 10% to 15%.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles can reduce accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Student in College – Youth drivers who live away from home and do not have a car can receive lower rates.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply to the entire cost. Most cut the price of certain insurance coverages like physical damage coverage or medical payments. So when it seems like you can get free auto insurance, companies wouldn’t make money that way.

Don’t I need to talk to an agent?

Certain consumers prefer to visit with an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help submit paperwork. The best thing about comparing rates online is you may find better rates but still work with a licensed agent.

After filling out this form (opens in new window), the quote information is immediately sent to participating agents in Northfield who will compete for your business. You won’t need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent straight to your inbox.

Deciding on an insurer needs to be determined by more than just a low price. Agents should be asked these questions:

• Is the agent and/or agency licensed to do business in Vermont?
• Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
• How are they compensated?
• How many years of experience in personal lines insurance coverages do they have?
• Do they make recommendations based only on price?
• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?

Two types of auto insurance agents

When searching for a local agent, you must know there are a couple types of insurance agents that you can select. Northfield agents are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive). While both can properly insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know how they are different because it can impact the type of agent you choose

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agencies are contracted to one company such as Liberty Mutual, State Farm, Allstate and AAA. They are unable to shop your coverage around so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captives receive extensive training on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents partially due to loyalty to the company and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

These agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with multiple insurance companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally and you don’t have to find a new agent. When shopping rates, you should always include price quotes from multiple independent agents to have the most options to choose from. They also have the ability to place coverage with smaller companies which may provide better rates.

After receiving satisfactory answers to all your questions and an acceptable price quote, you have narrowed it down to an auto insurance agent that is a good match to properly service your car insurance policy. Keep in mind once you purchase a policy you can terminate coverage whenever you wish so never feel you are locked into a specific agent for the full term.

How much car insurance do I need?

When it comes to choosing coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Your needs are not the same as everyone else’s.

For instance, these questions can aid in determining if your insurance needs would benefit from professional advice.

• Do I need PIP (personal injury protection) coverage in Vermont?
• Is business equipment covered while in my vehicle?
• Are my friends covered when driving my vehicle?
• Are all vehicle passengers covered by medical payments coverage?
• Am I covered when driving in Canada or Mexico?
• Is my vehicle covered by my employer’s policy when using it for work?

If you’re not sure about those questions, you might consider talking to an insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, fill out this quick form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.

Coverage specifics

Learning about specific coverages of your car insurance policy can help you determine the best coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Collision coverage protection

This will pay to fix damage to your vehicle caused by collision with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision coverage protects against things like hitting a parking meter, damaging your car on a curb and rolling your car. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Comprehensive (Other than Collision)

This will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. A deductible will apply then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance covers claims like damage from a tornado or hurricane, hail damage, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, vandalism and rock chips in glass. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the cash value of the vehicle, so if the vehicle’s value is low it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Protection from uninsured/underinsured drivers

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage provides protection from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.

Because many people carry very low liability coverage limits (which is 25/50/10), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Medical expense insurance

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage pay for bills like rehabilitation expenses, doctor visits, funeral costs, nursing services and surgery. They are often used to fill the gap from your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. They cover not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Liability car insurance

This coverage can cover damage or injury you incur to people or other property that is your fault. Coverage consists of three different limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see values of 25/50/25 which stand for a limit of $25,000 per injured person, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability coverage protects against claims like court costs, attorney fees, repair costs for stationary objects and funeral expenses. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but buy as large an amount as possible. Vermont state law requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/10,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy more coverage.

Learn more today

More tips and info about car insurance is located at the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website. Consumers can find disaster information, discover disciplinary actions, find a variety of consumer forms, and download brochures.

And the best car insurance company is…

When you buy insurance online, you should never buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate while still protecting your assets.

Throughout this article, we presented a lot of tips how to save on car insurance. The key concept to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. You may be surprised to find that the biggest savings come from the smaller companies.

People who switch companies do it for a variety of reasons including delays in paying claims, denial of a claim, unfair underwriting practices or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch switching companies can be pretty painless.