Car Insurance in Gallatin Tennessee – 6 Discounts Drivers are Forgetting

If price shopping car insurance online is new to you, you can be overwhelmed by the large number of online car insurance companies and websites competing for business in Gallatin.

If you have a policy now or are just looking to switch companies, you can follow these tips to shop for the lowest rates and possibly find even better coverage. This article will tell you the best way to quote coverages. Tennessee consumers just need to understand the most efficient way to find the lowest price over the internet.

Gallatin Car Insurance Prices Online

Cutting your Gallatin car insurance rates is actually quite simple. The only thing you need to do is spend a little time comparing price quotes online from several insurance companies. This is very easy and can be done in a couple of different ways.

One of the simplest ways to find the lowest comparison rates would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This easy form keeps you from doing separate quotes for each company. One form submission will get you rate comparisons from car insurance companies with the best prices.It’s the quickest way to get rates.

A slightly less efficient method to get comparison quotes is to take the time to go to each individual company website and complete a new quote form. For examples sake, we’ll pretend you want comparison quotes from Progressive, Allstate and Farmers. To find out each rate you need to take the time to go to each site and enter your information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

For a list of links to insurance companies in Gallatin, click here.

The hardest method to get comparison rates is to spend time driving to and from local Gallatin insurance agencies. The internet can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you require the personal advice of a local Gallatin agent. You can, however, compare online quotes and get advice from an agent in your area. We’ll cover that shortly.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but ensure you’re using exactly the same coverage limits for every company. If each company quotes mixed coverages then you won’t be able to truly determine the lowest rate in Gallatin.

Don’t be fooled by advertising claims

Consumers in Tennessee constantly see and hear ads for the lowest price auto insurance from companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive. All the companies say the same thing that you can save if you change your policy.

How do they all claim to save you money? This is how they do it.

All the different companies are able to cherry pick for the right customer that is profitable for them. For instance, a desirable insured could be a mature driver, insures multiple vehicles, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any new insured that hits that “sweet spot” will qualify for the lowest rates and therefore will save quite a bit of money when switching.

Potential insureds who fall outside the “perfect” profile will be charged higher rates and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads state “drivers who switch” not “everybody who quotes” save that much. That’s why insurance companies can confidently make those claims. That is why you need to get a wide range of price quotes. You cannot predict which insurance companies will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Do you qualify for these six discounts?

Companies don’t list all available discounts in a way that’s easy to find, so the following is a list of some of the more common and the more hidden discounts you could be receiving. If you aren’t receiving every discount you qualify for, you’re paying more than you need to.

• Discount for Good Grades – Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. Earning this discount can benefit you well after school through age 25.
• Drivers Ed for Students – Have your child successfully complete driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
• Organization Discounts – Participating in a professional or civic organization may earn a discount on your policy.
• Life Insurance – Some companies give a discount if you purchase life insurance from them.
• Distant Student – Youth drivers who attend school more than 100 miles from home and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
• Own a Home – Owning a house in Gallatin may earn you a small savings because maintaining a house demonstrates responsibility.

As a disclaimer on discounts, most discounts do not apply to your bottom line cost. Most cut specific coverage prices like comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn’t work that way.

What if I want to buy from a local Gallatin agent?

Certain consumers would rather buy from a licensed agent and that is just fine! Licensed agents can help determine the best coverages and help file insurance claims. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the lowest rates but also keep your business local.

Once you complete this quick form, the quote information is sent to companies in Gallatin who will return price quotes to get your business. There is no need to visit any agencies due to the fact that quote results will go to the email address you provide. How’s that for easy!

Picking an provider shouldn’t rely on just a cheap price. These questions are important to ask:

• Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
• If they are an independent agency, which companies do they recommend?
• What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?

Two different types of auto insurance agents

When finding a reliable agent, there are a couple of types of insurance agents to choose from. Gallatin agents are classified as either captive or independent (non-captive). While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they are different because it can influence the type of agent you choose

Agency Captives

Captive insurance agents can only write with one company and examples are Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They are unable to place coverage with different providers so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. They are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Consumers frequently purchase coverage from captives mainly due to the brand legacy and solid financial strength.

The following are captive agencies in Gallatin who can help you get comparison quotes.

• State Farm Insurance – 180 Belvedere Dr N # 2 – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 452-7133
• Farmers Insurance Group – 425 S Water Ave – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 452-7446
• Allstate Insurance – 724 Nashville Pike – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 452-3611
• Farm Bureau Insurance – 400 N Boyers Ave – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 452-3130

Independent Agents

Independent agencies do not work for one specific company but rather can write business amongst many companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and that require little work on your part.

When comparing rates, it’s recommended you include price quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from.Many can place coverage with different regional companies which can be an advantage.

Below is a list of independent agents in Gallatin willing to provide price quote information.

• Acceptance Insurance Agency – 650 Nashville Pike – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 230-5755
• Sirls-London Agency – 111 N Trigg Ave – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 452-8080
• Care Point Insurance Svc – 180 Belvedere Dr N – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 451-2560
• Acceptance Insurance Agency – 650 Nashville Pike – Gallatin, TN 37066 – (615) 230-5755

For a complete listing of licensed insurance agents in Gallatin, visit this site.

Upon receiving positive responses as well as a affordable price, you’ve probably found an auto insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.

Additional detailed information is available at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website. Visitors are able to get help finding coverage, find disaster information, and read state legal mandates and laws.

Also read more on this resource for Tennessee car insurance prices and this link where you can make Gallatin car insurance comparisons.

Specific coverage details

Understanding the coverages of your policy aids in choosing appropriate coverage and the correct deductibles and limits. Car insurance terms can be impossible to understand and even agents have difficulty translating policy wording.

Comprehensive auto coverage – This coverage covers damage OTHER than collision with another vehicle or object. You need to pay your deductible first and then insurance will cover the rest of the damage.

Comprehensive coverage pays for things such as a broken windshield, damage from getting keyed, theft, damage from a tornado or hurricane and rock chips in glass. The maximum amount your car insurance company will pay is the cash value of the vehicle, so if your deductible is as high as the vehicle’s value consider dropping full coverage.

Medical payments and PIP coverage – Med pay and PIP coverage pay for immediate expenses like doctor visits, funeral costs and chiropractic care. The coverages can be used to cover expenses not covered by your health insurance policy or if you do not have health coverage. They cover you and your occupants and also covers if you are hit as a while walking down the street. Personal Injury Protection is not universally available but can be used in place of medical payments coverage

Liability coverages – This provides protection from damage that occurs to other’s property or people by causing an accident. It protects YOU against other people’s claims. It does not 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 commonly see liability limits of 25/50/25 that translate to $25,000 bodily injury coverage, a limit of $50,000 in injury protection per accident, and a total limit of $25,000 for damage to vehicles and property.

Liability insurance covers things like legal defense fees, medical services and repair costs for stationary objects. How much liability coverage do you need? That is a personal decision, but consider buying as much as you can afford. Tennessee state minimum liability requirements are 25,000/50,000/15,000 but drivers should carry better liability coverage.

UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist) coverage – Your UM/UIM coverage protects you and your vehicle from other drivers when they do not carry enough liability coverage. It can pay for injuries to you and your family as well as damage to your vehicle.

Since many Tennessee drivers have only the minimum liability required by law (25/50/15), it only takes a small accident to exceed their coverage. That’s why carrying high Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is important protection for you and your family.

Collision coverages – This covers damage to your vehicle resulting from colliding with an object or car. You first must pay a deductible then the remaining damage will be paid by your insurance company.

Collision insurance covers things like hitting a parking meter, scraping a guard rail and sustaining damage from a pot hole. Collision is rather expensive coverage, so consider removing coverage from vehicles that are 8 years or older. You can also choose a higher deductible to save money on collision insurance.

More comparisons equals lower rates

The cheapest car insurance is available both online and with local Gallatin insurance agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best chance of saving money. Some companies do not offer online price quotes and many times these smaller companies only sell through independent insurance agents.

Insureds leave their current company for any number of reasons including lack of trust in their agent, being labeled a high risk driver, high rates after DUI convictions or even questionable increases in premium. Regardless of your reason, finding a new company is less work than it seems.

As you prepare to switch companies, never skimp on critical coverages to save a buck or two. In many cases, an insured cut full coverage only to discover later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. The aim is to buy the best coverage you can find at an affordable rate.