Best 6 Ways You Can Buy Car Insurance for Less in Durham North Carolina

Are you overwhelmed by the wide range of car insurance choices in Durham? You have a lot of company. People have so many options that it can be a big hassle to find the lowest price.

How to Get Durham Car Insurance Comparison Quotes

Getting a cheaper price on insurance can be relatively painless. The only thing you need to do is take the time comparing rates provided by online insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

• The easiest and least time consuming way to compare a lot of rates at once is to use a rate comparison form like this one (opens in new window). This method saves time by eliminating a different quote for every car insurance company. A single, simple form will get you rate comparisons from several companies. This is by far the quickest method.
• A harder way to compare rate quotes is to manually visit each company website and request a quote. For instance, we’ll assume you want to compare Allstate, GEICO and State Farm. You would 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 Durham, click here.
• The least efficient way to get comparison rates is to drive around to different Durham agent offices. Shopping for car insurance online eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the personal advice of a licensed agent. Drivers can compare online quotes but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll cover that in a bit.

Whichever way you use, compare exactly the same coverage limits and deductibles with every price quote. If each company quotes higher or lower deductibles it will be very difficult to find the best deal in Durham.

Do you qualify for these six discounts?

Insurance can cost an arm and a leg, but there are discounts available to help offset the cost. Most are applied when you purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be requested specifically in order for you to get them. If you’re not getting every credit you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Employee of Federal Government – Active or retired federal employment could cut as much as 10% off with certain companies.
• Student in College – Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and don’t have a car may qualify for this discount.
• Passive Restraints – Vehicles with factory air bags or automatic seat belts can receive discounts of more than 20%.
• Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes can avoid accidents and earn discounts up to 10%.
• Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to use a seat belt can save up to 15% off your PIP or medical payments premium.
• Paperwork-free – Certain companies give back up to $50 simply for signing digitally online.

As a disclaimer on discounts, many deductions do not apply to your bottom line cost. The majority will only reduce the price of certain insurance coverages like collision or personal injury protection. So even though it sounds like adding up those discounts means a free policy, you won’t be that lucky. Any qualifying discounts will bring down your premiums.

To choose providers with the best car insurance discounts in North Carolina, click this link.

Auto insurance coverage information

Understanding the coverages of car insurance can be of help when determining the right coverages and proper limits and deductibles. The terms used in a policy can be confusing and nobody wants to actually read their policy.

Uninsured Motorist or Underinsured Motorist insurance – Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle when other motorists are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. Covered losses include hospital bills for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.

Since many North Carolina drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (which is 30/60/25), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. This is the reason having UM/UIM coverage should not be overlooked. Usually your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages are similar to your liability insurance amounts.

Liability insurance – Liability insurance will cover damage that occurs to other people or property by causing an accident. It protects you against claims from other people, and doesn’t cover your own vehicle damage or injuries.

Split limit liability has three limits of coverage: bodily injury for each person injured, bodily injury for the entire accident and a property damage limit. You might see limits of 50/100/50 which stand for $50,000 in coverage for each person’s injuries, a total of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and property damage coverage for $50,000. Alternatively, you may have one number which is a combined single limit which provides one coverage limit with no separate limits for injury or property damage.

Liability coverage pays for things like funeral expenses, medical services, legal defense fees, structural damage and loss of income. The amount of liability coverage you purchase is a personal decision, but buy as high a limit as you can afford. North Carolina state law requires minimum liability limits of 30,000/60,000/25,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy higher limits.

Insurance for medical payments – Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and medical payments coverage reimburse you for expenses for things like funeral costs, prosthetic devices, nursing services and doctor visits. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance policy or if there is no health insurance coverage. Medical payments and PIP cover both the driver and occupants and will also cover being hit by a car walking across the street. Personal injury protection coverage is not an option in every state and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay

Collision – This covers damage to your vehicle caused by collision with an object or car. A deductible applies then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision can pay for things such as hitting a mailbox, colliding with a tree, damaging your car on a curb and rolling your car. This coverage can be expensive, so you might think about dropping it from vehicles that are 8 years or older. It’s also possible to increase the deductible to get cheaper collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverage (or Other than Collision) – Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You first have to pay a deductible then your comprehensive coverage will pay.

Comprehensive insurance covers things like rock chips in glass, a tree branch falling on your vehicle, a broken windshield and damage from getting keyed. The highest amount you’ll receive from a claim is the actual cash value, so if it’s not worth much more than your deductible consider removing comprehensive coverage.

Learn more today

Additional car insurance information is available on the North Carolina Department of Insurance website. Click here for link. North Carolina consumers can find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, download brochures, and view a list of available companies.