9 Discounts Shakopee Consumers Miss when Shopping for Auto Insurance Online

Nobody I know likes paying for auto insurance, particularly when the cost is too high.

Consumers have many car insurance companies to pick from, and although it’s nice to have multiple companies, it can be more challenging to get the best deal.

Consumers should take time to take a look at other company’s rates quite often because rates change frequently. Even if you think you had the best deal a couple years back you may be paying too much now. Ignore everything you know about auto insurance because I’m going to let you in on the secrets to how to quote online to properly buy coverages while reducing your premium.

Finding affordable coverage in Shakopee is not rocket science. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using this information. But Minnesota consumers benefit from understanding how companies sell insurance online because it can help you find the best coverage.

Do you qualify for these nine discounts?

Car insurance companies do not advertise all available discounts very clearly, so we researched some of the best known and the more hidden savings tricks you should be using.

• Senior Citizens – Older drivers may receive better auto insurance rates.
• Multiple Cars – Having all your vehicles with the same company may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
• Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.
• Auto/Home Discount – If you insure your home and vehicles with one insurance company you may earn at least 10% off all policies.
• Homeowners Discount – Owning a home in Shakopee can save you money because of the fact that having a home requires personal responsibility.
• Safety Course Discount – Completing a course teaching defensive driving skills could save 5% or more if you qualify.
• No Claims – Good drivers with no accidents can save substantially compared to frequent claim filers.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control are safer to drive and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
• Sign Online – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy online.

Consumers should know that some credits don’t apply the the whole policy. Most only cut the cost of specific coverages such as comprehensive or collision. Just because you may think you can get free auto insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.

To choose companies offering auto insurance discounts in Minnesota, click this link.

Do drivers who switch really save?

Auto insurance companies such as 21st Century, Allstate and State Farm regularly use television and radio advertisements. They all seem to make an identical promise that you can save if you move your policy. How do they all make the same claim?

Different companies have a certain “appetite” for the type of customer that earns them a profit. For instance, a desirable insured could be between 25 and 40, is a homeowner, and chooses high deductibles. A propective insured that hits that “sweet spot” gets the lowest rates and most likely will save when they switch companies.

Potential customers who don’t meet the “perfect” profile will be charged higher premiums which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ads state “customers who switch” but not “drivers who get quotes” save money. This is how insurance companies can confidently make those claims. That is why it’s extremely important to get as many comparisons as possible. It is impossible to predict which company will have the lowest rates.

Auto insurance coverage specifics

Having a good grasp of your policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording. Listed below are typical coverage types offered by auto insurance companies.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage – This provides protection from other drivers when they either are underinsured or have no liability coverage at all. It can pay for medical payments for you and your occupants as well as your vehicle’s damage.

Since many Minnesota drivers carry very low liability coverage limits (30/60/10 in Minnesota), their liability coverage can quickly be exhausted. So UM/UIM coverage is a good idea.

Comprehensive coverage – This coverage will pay to fix damage caused by mother nature, theft, vandalism and other events. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive insurance covers things such as damage from a tornado or hurricane, damage from getting keyed and hail damage. The maximum payout your auto insurance company will pay is the ACV or actual cash value, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Medical payments coverage and PIP – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for immediate expenses such as surgery, dental work, prosthetic devices, nursing services and EMT expenses. They can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance program or if you lack health insurance entirely. It covers not only the driver but also the vehicle occupants and also covers being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not universally available and may carry a deductible

Collision coverage – Collision coverage pays to fix your vehicle from damage from colliding with a stationary object or other vehicle. You first must pay a deductible then your collision coverage will kick in.

Collision coverage protects against claims such as sideswiping another vehicle, hitting a parking meter, hitting a mailbox and colliding with another moving vehicle. Collision coverage makes up a good portion of your premium, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are older. Drivers also have the option to choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

Auto liability – This coverage will cover damage or injury you incur to other’s property or people. This insurance protects YOU from legal claims by others. It does not cover damage to your own property or vehicle.

Liability coverage has three limits: bodily injury per person, bodily injury per accident and property damage. You might see values of 100/300/100 which stand for $100,000 bodily injury coverage, a total of $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of coverage for damaged propery.

Liability insurance covers claims like attorney fees, court costs, funeral expenses, medical expenses and medical services. How much coverage you buy is a decision to put some thought into, but buy as much as you can afford. Minnesota state law requires minimum liability limits of 30,000/60,000/10,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.

Additional detailed information can be read at the Minnesota Department of Commerce website. Consumers can find disaster information, view agent and company licensing information, and get help finding coverage.

Best coverage at the best price

Cheaper auto insurance is definitely available from both online companies in addition to many Shakopee insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some insurance companies do not provide the ability to get a quote online and these small insurance companies work with independent agents.

As you shop your coverage around, do not buy poor coverage just to save money. There are many occasions where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to discover later that it was a big error on their part. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at the best price while still protecting your assets.