8 Tips to Save on Car Insurance in Eugene

Price shopping your Eugene car insurance quotes can seem to be nearly impossible for people who are new to shopping for insurance online. People have so many choices that it can easily become a real challenge to find lower rates in Eugene.

If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to reduce your rates substantially using this information. This information will familiarize you with how to get online quotes and some tips to save money. But Oregon consumers must learn how companies sell online because it can help you find the best coverage.

How to Compare Eugene Car Insurance Rates

When shopping for car insurance there are multiple ways of comparing price quotes from car insurance companies in your area. The easiest way to find the cheapest insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

One of the best ways to find low rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison (click to open form in new window). This method prevents you from having to do separate quote forms to each individual car insurance company. Just one form will return quotes from several companies. This is by far the quickest method.
A more time consuming way to analyze rates requires a trip to each individual company website and request a quote. For instance, we’ll pretend you want rates from Allstate, GEICO and Liberty Mutual. To get each rate you have to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a handy list of car insurance company links in Eugene, click here.
The least recommended way of comparing rate quotes is to drive around to local insurance agencies. The internet makes this process obsolete unless you prefer the professional advice of a licensed agent. Drivers can price shop online but still have the advice of a local agent. We’ll cover that shortly.

Whichever method you choose, be sure to compare exactly the same information with each company. If you are comparing different values for each quote then you won’t be able to determine the best price in Eugene. Having just a slight variation in coverages may result in large price differences. Keep in mind that obtaining a wide range of quotes helps locate a better price.

Cut your car insurance rates with these eight discounts

Companies do not list every available discount very clearly, so we took the time to find both well-publicized and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.

Claim Free – Claim-free drivers pay much less when compared to frequent claim filers.
Anti-theft Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems are stolen less frequently and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Save with a New Car – Buying coverage on a new vehicle can be considerably cheaper because new vehicles have to meet stringent safety requirements.
Discount for Life Insurance – Select insurance companies reward you with better rates if you take out life insurance from them.
Payment Method – If you pay your entire premium ahead of time instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
Discount for Swiching Early – Select companies give a discount for switching policies before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
Multiple Policy Discount – If you have multiple policies with the same company you could get a discount of 10% to 20% off each policy.
Seat Belts Save more than Lives – Requiring all passengers to use a seat belt could cut 10% or more on the medical payments or PIP coverage costs.

Keep in mind that most of the big mark downs will not be given to the overall cost of the policy. Most only apply to individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So when it seems like adding up those discounts means a free policy, it doesn’t quite work that way.

To choose insurance companies with discount car insurance rates in Oregon, follow this link.

What about using a local agent?

A small number of people just want to visit with an insurance agent and that is a personal choice. The best thing about comparing rates online is you can get lower rates and still have an agent to talk to.

Once you complete this simple form, your insurance data gets sent to participating agents in Eugene who will compete for your coverage. You don’t have to visit any agencies since price quotes are sent directly to your email. It doesn’t get any easier! Get lower rates without the usual hassles of price shopping.

Selecting a company requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

Is their price quote a firm figure or are their hidden costs?
Does the agent have professional designations like CIC, CPCU or AIC?
Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
What insurance company do they write the most business with?
Are they full-time agents?
Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
Is assistance available after office hours?
Are claims handled at the agent’s location?

Best car insurance agent in Eugene

If you’re trying to find a reputable insurance agent or broker, you need to know there are two types of agencies from which to choose. Eugene agents are categorized either independent or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents write business for a single company and some examples include State Farm or Allstate. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so they have no alternatives for high prices. Captive agents are very knowledgeable on their company’s products which helps them compete with independent agents. Consumers often purchase coverage from captives mostly because of loyalty to the company and the convenience of having all coverages with one company.

Below is a list of captive insurance agencies in Eugene who can help you get price quote information.

Farmers Insurance Group – 377 Coburg Rd – Eugene, OR 97401 – (541) 342-2105
American Family Insurance – 791 N Danebo Ave – Eugene, OR 97402 – (541) 461-1383
Allstate Insurance – 3155 W 11th Ave # D1 – Eugene, OR 97402 – (541) 242-6444
State Farm Insurance – 1980 Echo Hollow Rd – Eugene, OR 97402 – (541) 607-3030
Liberty Mutual Insurance – 1020 Green Acres Rd # 6 – Eugene, OR 97408 – (541) 344-1836

Independent Agencies or Brokers

Independent insurance agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent.

When comparing rates, it’s a good idea to get quotes from at least one independent agent to ensure the widest selection of prices. Most have the option of insuring with lesser-known insurance companies which can save you money.

Listed below are Eugene independent insurance agencies that can give you comparison quotes.

Bernie Dorsey Agency – 50 Oakway Ctr – Eugene, OR 97401 – (541) 431-4486
Darrell Naro Agency – 1592 Green Acres Rd – Eugene, OR 97408 – (541) 687-6602
Mutual Of Omaha Insurance Co – 1580 Valley River Dr # 130 – Eugene, OR 97401 – (541) 344-6287
Prudential Insurance Co – 1050 Willagillespie Rd # 5a – Eugene, OR 97401 – (541) 485-1142
Rod Schultz Agency Inc – 2677 Willakenzie Rd # 6 – Eugene, OR 97401 – (541) 343-8582

For a full directory of licensed insurance agents in Eugene, visit this site.

Upon receiving satisfactory answers to all your questions and an acceptable price quote, you may have just found an insurance agency that will adequately provide car insurance.

Car insurance coverages and their meanings

Learning about specific coverages of your policy aids in choosing the right coverages and the correct deductibles and limits. The coverage terms in a policy can be confusing and reading a policy is terribly boring.

Collision coverage protection

Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with an object or car. You will need to pay your deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.

Collision coverage pays for things like backing into a parked car, hitting a parking meter, colliding with a tree, sustaining damage from a pot hole and crashing into a building. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to bump up the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.

Comprehensive car insurance

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

Comprehensive can pay for claims like vandalism, hitting a bird and theft. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle’s value is low consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Auto liability insurance

Liability insurance protects you from injuries or damage you cause to other people or property in an accident. This insurance protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

It consists of three limits, bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. Your policy might show limits of 50/100/50 which means $50,000 bodily injury coverage, $100,000 for the entire accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000.

Liability can pay for claims such as repair bills for other people’s vehicles, bail bonds, loss of income, emergency aid and legal defense fees. How much coverage you buy is a personal decision, but you should buy as much as you can afford. Oregon requires drivers to carry at least 25,000/50,000/20,000 but you should think about purchasing higher limits.

Coverage for medical expenses

Medical payments and Personal Injury Protection insurance pay for expenses like dental work, hospital visits and funeral costs. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance plan or if you do not have health coverage. They cover all vehicle occupants and also covers any family member struck as a pedestrian. Personal Injury Protection is not an option in every state and may carry a deductible

Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers

Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants when other motorists do not carry enough liability coverage. Covered claims include injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your vehicle.

Since many Oregon drivers only carry the minimum required liability limits (25/50/20), their limits can quickly be used up. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is very important.

Better coverage you can count on

While you’re price shopping online, it’s very important that you do not buy lower coverage limits just to save a few bucks. In too many instances, an insured cut liability coverage limits only to regret they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The proper strategy is to buy enough coverage for the lowest price while not skimping on critical coverages.

Insureds switch companies for any number of reasons including policy non-renewal, lack of trust in their agent, extreme rates for teen drivers and delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, finding the right car insurance provider is actually quite simple.

Cost effective car insurance is available online in addition to many Eugene insurance agents, so you should compare both to have the best rate selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these regional insurance providers provide coverage only through local independent agents.

More detailed Oregon car insurance information is located at the Oregon Insurance Division website. Consumers can get help finding coverage, learn about specific coverages, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.