6 Ways to Save on Car Insurance in Altoona Pennsylvania

Cutting costs on Altoona car insurance can be hard for consumers not familiar with comparison shopping online. Drivers have so many choices that it can quickly become a ton of work to locate the lowest price in Altoona.

Choosing the best insurance company for you in Altoona is not that difficult. If you are paying for car insurance now, you should be able to save some money using these methods. Pennsylvania drivers just need to know the most effective way to shop for car insurance over the internet.

Where Can I Get Cheap Altoona Car Insurance?

All major car insurance companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive allow you to get prices on their websites. Obtaining pricing doesn’t take a lot of time as you simply enter as requested by the quote form. Once you submit the form, their rating system obtains your credit score and driving record and generates a price based on these factors.

Quoting online simplifies rate comparisons, but having to visit each company’s website and repetitively complete many quote forms gets old quite quickly. Unfortunately, it is important to get many rate quotes if you want to find the best price on car insurance.

An easier way to get multiple rate quotes utilizes a single form to return rates from many companies. It saves time, eliminates form submissions, and makes price shopping online much more enjoyable. After sending your information, it is rated and you can choose any or none of the quotes returned. If you find a better price it’s easy to complete the application and buy the policy. The entire process just takes a couple of minutes and you’ll know if lower rates are available.

To quickly use this form to compare rates, click here and input your coverage information. If you have coverage now, it’s recommended you input the insurance coverages just like they are on your policy. This makes sure you will receive comparison quotes using the same coverage and limits.

Can you really save that much by switching?

Pennsylvania drivers get pounded daily by advertisements for car insurance savings by companies like Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies make an identical promise that you’ll save big if you switch to them.

How do they all say the same thing? It’s all in the numbers.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer they prefer to insure. A good example of a driver they prefer might be profiled as between 30 and 50, a clean driving record, and has great credit. A customer who meets those qualifications receives the best rates and most likely will save a lot of money.

Potential customers who do not match the requirements will have to pay higher prices and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that much money. This is how insurance companies can advertise the way they do. Because of the profiling, drivers must get as many quotes as possible. Because you never know which car insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss

Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise every available discount very well, so we researched both the well known and also the lesser-known car insurance savings. If you don’t get every credit you deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

Multiple Cars – Having all your vehicles on one policy could earn a price break for each car.
Sign Online – A few companies will give a small break for buying your policy on their website.
Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of paying each month you could save 5% or more.
Bundle and Save – If you have multiple policies with one company you may save 10% to 20% off each policy.
Sign Early and Save – A few companies offer discounts for signing up before your current policy expires. It can save you around 10%.
Claim Free – Claim-free drivers pay less when compared to bad drivers.

It’s important to note that most discount credits are not given to the entire policy premium. Some only apply to the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Just because it seems like you can get free auto insurance, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.

To choose insurers with the best car insurance discounts in Altoona, click this link.

Everyone needs different coverages

When choosing the right insurance coverage, there really is no perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

Here are some questions about coverages that could help you determine whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

Should I put collision coverage on all my vehicles?
Should I rate my vehicle as pleasure use or commute?
What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
When should I remove comp and collision on my vehicle?
Will I lose any money if I cancel my policy before it expires?
Do I have coverage if my license is suspended?
What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
How high should my medical payments coverage be?
Does my policy cover my teen driver if they drive my company car?
Do no-fault laws apply in Pennsylvania?

If you can’t answer these questions but you know they apply to you, you may need to chat with a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, simply complete this short form. It’s fast, doesn’t cost anything and can help protect your family.

Won’t my local insurance agent miss me?

Some consumers would prefer to buy from a local agent. Licensed agents can point out coverage gaps and help you file claims. One of the best bonuses of getting online price quotes is the fact that you can find lower rates but also keep your business local.

Once you complete this simple form, your insurance coverage information is immediately sent to local insurance agents in Altoona who will give you bids for your insurance coverage. You never need to even leave your home because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!

Choosing an provider requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Some important questions to ask are:<img class="alignright" style="padding-top:15px" src="https://www.findnewcarinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/ci175-41.jpg" alt="Altoona PA car insurance prices” />

Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Will vehicle repairs be made with aftermarket parts or OEM replacement parts?
Will their companies depreciate repairs to your car based on the mileage?
What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
How are they compensated?

Altoona car insurance agents come in two flavors

When researching a reliable agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies to choose from. Altoona agents are classified as either captive or independent. While both can do a good job, but it’s worth mentioning how they are different because it can influence your agent selection.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive insurance agents work for only one company like State Farm or Allstate. They generally cannot place coverage with different providers so keep that in mind. They are trained well in insurance sales and that can be a competitive advantage. Some consumers prefer to buy insurance from these agents mainly due to the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Below are captive agents in Altoona that can give you rate quotes.

Allstate Isnurance Co – 301 E Wopsononock Ave – Altoona, PA 16601 – (814) 942-5942
State Farm Insurance – 200 Frankstown Rd – Altoona, PA 16602 – (814) 942-2615

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

Independent agencies are not required to write business for one company but rather can write business amongst many companies and possibly get better coverage at lower prices. If your agent finds better pricing, the agent simply finds a different carrier and that require little work on your part.

When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to contact at a minimum one independent agency to ensure the widest selection of prices. Many write coverage with smaller companies which can be an advantage.

Shown below are Altoona independent agents who can help you get comparison quotes.

Cal G Griffith Jr Agency – 1200 11th Ave – Altoona, PA 16601 – (814) 944-1626
Tsikalas Insurance – 104 58th St – Altoona, PA 16602 – (814) 944-8295
Warren A Gingrich Agency Inc – 9 Logan Blvd – Altoona, PA 16602 – (814) 944-2078
Scheeler Insurance – 415 S Kettle St – Altoona, PA 16602 – (814) 942-8304
Parsons Agency Inc – 1120 12th Ave – Altoona, PA 16601 – (814) 943-8191

To view a full list of insurance agents in Altoona, visit this site.

Upon getting acceptable answers to your questions and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that is a good match to adequately provide car insurance.

Car insurance policy coverages

Learning about specific coverages of a car insurance policy can help you determine the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. Car insurance terms can be ambiguous and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Coverage for medical expenses

Med pay and PIP coverage kick in for bills like prosthetic devices, rehabilitation expenses, nursing services, ambulance fees and chiropractic care. They are often used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. They cover both the driver and occupants as well as if you are hit as a while walking down the street. PIP coverage is only offered in select states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Collision coverage protection

Collision insurance will pay to fix damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with another vehicle or an object, but not an animal. A deductible applies and the rest of the damage will be paid by collision coverage.

Collision coverage protects against things such as sideswiping another vehicle, backing into a parked car and hitting a parking meter. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Drivers also have the option to increase the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Liability auto insurance

This protects you from damages or injuries you inflict on other people or property that is your fault. It protects you from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.

Coverage consists of three different limits, per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. As an example, you may have liability limits of 25/50/25 which means $25,000 bodily injury coverage, $50,000 for the entire accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability can pay for things such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, bail bonds and medical services. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is up to you, but it’s cheap coverage so purchase as much as you can afford. Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry at least 15,000/30,000/5,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

Comprehensive car insurance

Comprehensive insurance coverage pays for damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for claims such as theft, hitting a deer, damage from flooding and vandalism. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

This coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. Covered claims include medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (Pennsylvania limits are 15/30/5), it doesn’t take a major accident to exceed their coverage limits. So UM/UIM coverage is important protection for you and your family.

The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest

Insureds switch companies for many reasons like extreme rates for teen drivers, policy non-renewal, being labeled a high risk driver or an unsatisfactory settlement offer. Whatever your reason, finding a new company is actually quite simple.

While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. In many instances, an accident victim reduced uninsured motorist or liability limits and found out when filing a claim that they should have had better coverage. The aim is to purchase plenty of coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Low-cost car insurance can be found on the web and also from your neighborhood Altoona agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. There are still a few companies who may not provide the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.

Learn more about car insurance in Pennsylvania

More detailed Pennsylvania car insurance information can be read at the Pennsylvania Insurance Department website. Visitors are able to file complaints about a company, read state legal mandates and laws, and file complaints about an insurance agent or broker.

Additional helpful sites include QuoteClickInsure.com and QuoteClickSave.com.