6 Best Tricks to Lower Auto Insurance Costs in Cary

Finding the lowest price for Cary auto insurance might seem complicated at first if you are a beginner to online rate quotes. But relax because online price shopping is actually quite simple.

This article will familiarize you with how to get online quotes and some tricks to saving. If you currently have a car insurance policy, you should be able to save some money using these methods. North Carolina drivers just need to know how to compare company rates over the internet.

Cheap Cary Auto Insurance Comparisons

There are a variety of methods you can shop for auto insurance and some are more efficient than others. You could waste a few hours discussing policy coverages with agents in Cary, or you could save time and use the web to achieve your goal.

Most major companies take part in a program that allows shoppers to submit one quote, and each participating company then gives them pricing based on that data. This saves time by eliminating quotation requests for each company.

To participate in this free quote system, click to open in new window.

The single downside to comparing rates this way is you can’t choose the insurers you will receive quotes from. So if you want to choose specific providers to request quotes from, we have a listing of companies who write auto insurance in North Carolina. Click here to view list.

Which method you use is up to you, but be sure to compare exactly the same coverage limits on every quote you get. If you use different values for each quote then you won’t be able to make a fair comparison in Cary.

Don’t overlook these six discounts

Car insurance is not cheap, but companies offer discounts to cut the cost considerably. Some trigger automatically at the time of quoting, but some may not be applied and must be asked for before you get the savings. If you aren’t receiving every discount you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Theft Prevention System – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Pay Upfront and Save – If paying your policy premium upfront instead of monthly or quarterly installments you can actually save on your bill.
Defensive Driving Course – Taking part in a course teaching defensive driving skills could cut 5% off your bill if you qualify.
Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or motorized seat belts can receive discounts of 20% or more.
Discount for Good Grades – Getting good grades can get you a discount of up to 25%. This discount can apply well after school through age 25.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply the the whole policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as liability, collision or medical payments. So even though it sounds like you can get free auto insurance, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous. But all discounts will reduce the cost of coverage.

To see a list of companies who offer auto insurance discounts in Cary, click here to view.

Do I need a local agent?

Certain consumers prefer to buy from a local agent. Agents can answer important questions and help submit paperwork. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find better rates but also keep your business local. Supporting local agencies is definitely important in Cary.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this simple form, the coverage information is submitted to participating agents in Cary who will return price quotes for your business. You never need to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent immediately to your email address. Now that’s easy!

Cary auto insurance agents come in two flavors

When researching local Cary agents, you need to know there are two different agency structures from which to choose. Agents can either be independent (non-captive) or captive. Either one can do a good job, but it’s worth learning the differences because it can influence your selection of an agent.

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company but rather can write business with many different companies depending on which coverage is best. If your agent finds better pricing, an independent agent can move your coverage and you won’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, we recommend you contact at a minimum one independent agency for maximum quote selection.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which may provide better rates.

The following is a list of independent insurance agents in Cary that may be able to provide price quotes.

Lipstone Insurance – 208 New Edition Ct – Cary, NC 27511 – (919) 463-5300
Insurance Doctor Agency – 169 SE Cary Pkwy – Cary, NC 27511 – (919) 481-2700
Daniel T Crocker Insurance – 103 New Edition Ct – Cary, NC 27511 – (919) 460-6145
Adcock Agency Inc – 157 W Chatham St – Cary, NC 27511 – (919) 467-8126
Hargis Agency – 247 Grande Heights Dr – Cary, NC 27513 – (919) 481-3071

Captive Agents

These agents work for only one company and examples are Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so always compare other rates. Captive agencies are well schooled in insurance sales which helps them compete with independent agents. Some people will only purchase coverage from captives primarily because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages. auto insurance image

Shown below is a list of captive agents in Cary that can give you rate quotes.

State Farm Insurance – 1815 Kildaire Farm Rd # B – Cary, NC 27518 – (919) 851-0151
Allstate Insurance – 975 Walnut St # 200 – Cary, NC 27511 – (919) 467-4134

For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Cary, please go to this site.

Selecting an insurance agency should depend on more than just the premium amount. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

Which company do they place the most coverage with?
Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
Do the companies they represent have a solid financial rating?
Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?

Once you have received positive responses to all your questions in addition to an acceptable price estimate, most likely you have located a car insurance agent that will adequately provide auto insurance.

How to know if you need help

When it comes to buying the best auto insurance coverage for your personal vehicles, there is no best way to insure your cars. Each situation is unique.

For example, these questions can aid in determining whether you may require specific advice.

Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
Do I have coverage for damage caused while driving under the influence?
How much liability coverage do I need in North Carolina?
Is North Carolina a no-fault state?
How do I file an SR-22 for a DUI in North Carolina?
Is a new car covered when I drive it off the dealer lot?
Will my vehicle be repaired with OEM or aftermarket parts?
Do I need added coverage for expensive stereo equipment?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and you can get the answers you need.

Auto insurance coverage considerations

Knowing the specifics of your auto insurance policy can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Policy terminology can be confusing and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Uninsured and underinsured coverage – This protects you and your vehicle when the “other guys” are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include injuries to you and your family and damage to your vehicle.

Since a lot of drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (30/60/25 in North Carolina), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage should not be overlooked. Frequently your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Collision – Collision insurance pays to fix your vehicle from damage resulting from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You will need to pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers things like scraping a guard rail, backing into a parked car, hitting a parking meter, rolling your car and sideswiping another vehicle. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also bump up the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverages – This coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first must pay your deductible then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive can pay for things like damage from flooding, damage from a tornado or hurricane, fire damage and a broken windshield. The highest amount your auto insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Coverage for medical payments – Med pay and PIP coverage pay for bills for funeral costs, chiropractic care, hospital visits and surgery. They can be used to fill the gap from your health insurance program or if there is no health insurance coverage. Coverage applies to all vehicle occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is only offered in select states and may carry a deductible

Liability car insurance – Liability insurance will cover damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. This coverage protects you from legal claims by others, 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 limits of 100/300/100 which means $100,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $100,000. Occasionally you may see one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit without having the split limit caps.

Liability insurance covers things like repair bills for other people’s vehicles, medical services and loss of income. 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. North Carolina requires drivers to carry at least 30,000/60,000/25,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

More information is located on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website located here. North Carolina consumers can file complaints about a company, discover disciplinary actions, and view a list of available companies.

Also read more on this online resource for auto insurance quotes in North Carolina and this link where you can get more info about Cary auto insurance.

One last thing

Drivers leave their current company for any number of reasons including policy non-renewal, questionable increases in premium, policy cancellation or high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter why you want to switch choosing a new insurance company is not as hard as you think.

Discount auto insurance can be found from both online companies in addition to many Cary insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best selection. Some insurance companies do not provide online quoting and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.

We’ve covered a lot of information how to get a better price on auto insurance. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the higher your chance of finding lower rates. You may be surprised to find that the most savings is with a smaller regional carrier.