Free Guide to Spending Less for Bristol, TN Car Insurance Online

Nobody looks forward to buying car insurance, in particular when their premiums are through the roof. Since consumers have many insurance companies to choose from, it is very difficult to find the cheapest insurer.

It’s a great practice to check car insurance prices quite often since insurance rates tend to go up over time. Just because you had the lowest rates on your last policy the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. There is too much inaccurate information about car insurance online, so we’re going to give you some of the best ways to save money.

How to Lower your Car Insurance Rates

Smart consumers have a good feel for some of the elements that go into determining your car insurance rates. Understanding what controls the rates you pay allows you to make educated decisions that may reward you with big savings.

Pay less if you’re married – Having a wife or husband can actually save you money on your car insurance policy. Having a significant other usually means you are more mature than a single person it has been statistically shown that drivers who are married are more cautious.
Lower miles equals lower premium – The more miles you rack up on your car each year the higher your rate. Most companies price each vehicle’s coverage determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use get more affordable rates than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your car insurance policy shows how each vehicle is driven.
Males pay more for insurance – Statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are better drivers. They both tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the men have costlier accidents. Men also statistically get cited for more serious violations like reckless driving and DUI. Male drivers age 16 to 19 tend to get in the most accidents and thus pay the highest rates.
What type of vehicle do you drive? – The performance level of the car you are buying insurance for makes a significant difference in determining your rates. The most favorable rates are generally reserved for low performance passenger cars, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
Allowing your policy to lapse raises rates – Not having insurance is illegal and car insurance companies will penalize you for letting your insurance expire. Not only will you pay more, but being ticketed for driving with no insurance can result in a hefty fine and possibly a revoked license.You may have to prove you have insurance by filing a SR-22 with the Tennessee DMV.
Don’t skimp on liability – Liability coverage is the protection when you are found liable for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. Liability insurance is quite affordable when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not cut corners here.

Comprehensive Bristol Car Insurance Comparison Quotes

Finding cheaper car insurance prices can be surprisingly simple. All that’s required is to spend a few minutes on the computer to get quotes from different insurance companies. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

One of the best ways to get quotes for comparison is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This easy form eliminates the need for separate forms for each company. One simple form gets you coverage quotes from multiple companies.
A harder way to analyze rates consists of going to the website for each individual company and request a quote. For instance, let’s assume you want to compare State Farm, Allstate and GMAC. To get each rate you have to spend time on each company’s site and enter your information, which is why the first method is more popular.
For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Bristol, click here.
The least efficient method of getting rate comparisons is driving to local Bristol insurance agencies. The internet has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the professional guidance of a licensed agent. You can, however, compare the best prices online but buy from a local insurance agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

It’s up to you how you get prices quotes, just double check that you are using apples-to-apples information for every quote you compare. If you compare different values for each quote it’s impossible to decipher which rate is best in Bristol.

Don’t believe everything you hear

Tennessee drivers can’t ignore all the ads that promise big savings by GEICO, State Farm and Progressive. They all make the same claim that you can save if you change to their company.

How do they all say the same thing?

All companies have a preferred profile for the driver that is profitable for them. For instance, a driver they prefer could possibly be a mature driver, is a homeowner, and has excellent credit. A driver who fits that profile is entitled to the best price and is almost guaranteed to save a lot of money.

Potential customers who are not a match for the “perfect” profile will have to pay more money which usually ends up with business going elsewhere. The ads say “people who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save money. This is how companies can make the claims of big savings. Because of the profiling, drivers must quote coverage with many companies. It is impossible to predict which company will fit your personal profile best.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Companies that sell car insurance don’t list every available discount very clearly, so here is a list some of the more common and also the lesser-known ways to save on car insurance. If you’re not getting every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be. Bristol insurance ad

Passive Restraint Discount – Factory air bags or motorized seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
More Vehicles More Savings – Having multiple cars or trucks on the same car insurance policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
Good Student Discount – Performing well in school can save 20 to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
Federal Employees – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify you for a discount depending on your company.
Driver Safety – Taking part in a driver safety course can save you 5% or more if your company offers it.
Braking Control Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes are safer to drive and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Anti-theft Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
Driver’s Ed – Require your teen driver to successfully complete driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
Military Discounts – Having a deployed family member could mean lower rates.

It’s important to note that some credits don’t apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, car insurance companies aren’t that generous.

Shop online but buy locally

A small number of people just want to buy from a local agent and that is OK! Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and give you someone to call. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is you can get lower rates but also keep your business local.

To find an agent, once you fill out this simple form, your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to participating agents in Bristol who will give you bids to get your business. There is no reason to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!

Choosing an insurance company requires more thought than just the price. Any agent should be forthright in answering these questions:

Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Do they specialize in personal lines coverage?
Are glass claims handled on-site or do you have to take your vehicle to a repair shop?
Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
If you have an accident, are you able to get your vehicle repaired at the shop of your choice?

How to choose the best insurance agent in Bristol

When finding an insurance agent, you need to know there are two different types of agents that you can select. Agencies in Bristol can either be independent or captive. Both insure your vehicles, but it’s important to know the differences because it can influence buying decisions.

Agency Captives

Captive agents can only place business with one company and examples are Allstate, State Farm and Farmers Insurance. They usually cannot compare other company’s rates so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. Captive agents are trained well on the products they sell which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums.

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

State Farm Insurance – 939 Volunteer Pkwy – Bristol, TN 37620 – (423) 968-1322
Allstate Insurance Co – 1510 Bluff City Hwy – Bristol, TN 37620 – (423) 968-7373
Farmers Insurance Group – 1182 Volunteer Pkwy – Bristol, TN 37620 – (423) 274-0610

Independent Agents (or Brokers)

These agents do not work for one specific company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. If you are not satisfied with one company, the agent simply finds a different carrier and you won’t have to switch agencies. When searching for an agent, it’s recommended you include at a minimum one independent agency to have the most options to choose from.

Listed below are independent insurance agencies in Bristol willing to provide comparison quotes.

Direct General Ins Agency – 705 Bluff City Hwy – Bristol, TN 37620 – (423) 274-0991
Jim Embree Insurance Co Inc – 1203 Edgemont Ave – Bristol, TN 37620 – (423) 968-5550
Schoenhardt Insurance – 337 Bluff City Hwy # 201 – Bristol, TN 37620 – (423) 968-1928

To view a full list of Bristol insurance agents, please view this page.

Upon receiving positive responses to any questions you have and a low price estimate, it’s possible that you found an insurance agency that can service your policy.

More detailed Tennessee car insurance information can be found at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website. Tennessee drivers can view agent and company licensing information, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, get help finding coverage, and download brochures.

The following information may also be useful.

And the best car insurance company is…

As you go through the steps to switch your coverage, it’s a bad idea to skimp on coverage in order to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut uninsured motorist or liability limits and found out when filing a claim they didn’t have enough coverage. Your goal should be to get the best coverage possible at the best price.

We just presented a lot of techniques to lower your car insurance rates. The key concept to understand is the more you quote, the better your chances of lowering your rates. You may even find the biggest savings come from the smaller companies. Regional companies may often insure only within specific states and give getter rates compared to the large companies like Progressive or GEICO.

Low-cost car insurance is attainable both online and also from your neighborhood Bristol agents, and you should be comparing both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers may not provide online price quotes and these small, regional companies work with independent agents.