How to Know You’re Throwing Money Away for Auto Insurance in Summit

Comparison shopping for Summit auto insurance can be difficult for people who are new to shopping for insurance online. You have so many choices that it can easily become a challenge to find lower rates in Summit.

You should make it a habit to check auto insurance prices before your policy renews due to the fact that insurance rates change frequently. If you had the best rates two years ago a different company probably has better rates today. There is a lot of wrong information about auto insurance on the internet, so by reading this article, you’re going to learn some proven techniques to put money back in your pocket.

Why you might pay higher rates in Summit

Smart consumers have a good feel for the different types of things that come into play when calculating auto insurance rates. Knowing what impacts premium levels enables informed choices that can help you get much lower annual insurance costs.

  • Males pay more for insurance – The statistics show that men are more aggressive behind the wheel. However, this does not mean men are WORSE drivers than women. Women and men have accidents in similar numbers, but the males have costlier accidents. They also have more aggressive citations like reckless driving and DUI. Teenage male drivers tend to get in the most accidents and are penalized with high auto insurance rates.
  • How credit affects auto insurance rates – Having a bad credit history is a important factor in determining your rates. If your credit history is not that good, you could save money insuring your by repairing your credit. Drivers with high credit scores tend to file fewer claims and have better driving records than drivers with lower credit scores.
  • More performance means more cost – The type of vehicle you are buying insurance for makes a huge difference in your rates. Low performance passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but the cost you end up paying is determined by many additional factors.
  • Always keep insurance in force – Allowing your auto insurance policy to lapse is a quick way to pay more for auto insurance. And not only will insurance be more expensive, failure to provide proof of insurance may earn you a steep fine or even jail time.
  • Your age impacts your rates – Young drivers in New Jersey are statistically proven to be less responsible when behind the wheel so they pay higher auto insurance rates. Older insureds tend to be more responsible, file fewer claims and are safer drivers.
  • How many coverages with the same company – Most insurers will give a discount to customers who consolidate policies with them such as combining an auto and homeowners policy. This can amount to five, ten or even twenty percent. Even with this discount, you still need to compare rates to confirm you are receiving the best rates possible. You may still be able to find better rates by splitting coverages up.
  • Rates may be higher depending on your occupation – Did you know your job can affect your rates? Careers like judges, business owners and stock brokers have the highest rates due to stressful work requirements and lots of time spent at work. On the other hand, professions such as scientists, students and homemakers get better rates.
  • Your spouse saves you money – Having a wife or husband actually saves money on auto insurance. Having a significant other is viewed as being more mature it has been statistically shown that married drivers get in fewer accidents.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Auto insurance companies don’t always advertise every available discount 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 deserve, you’re just leaving money on the table.

  • College Student – Youth drivers who live away from home and don’t have a car may be able to be covered for less.
  • Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles can earn lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
  • Accident Forgiveness – A few companies will allow you to have one accident before your rates go up if your claims history is clear for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • Paperwork-free – A handful of insurance companies will discount your bill up to fifty bucks for buying your policy online.
  • Life Insurance – Larger companies have lower rates if you buy a life insurance policy as well.

It’s important to understand that many deductions do not apply to the overall cost of the policy. The majority will only reduce individual premiums such as physical damage coverage or medical payments. Just because it seems like having all the discounts means you get insurance for free, you won’t be that lucky.

Aren’t my neighborhood agents an option?

Some people prefer to buy from a licensed agent and that is OK! Licensed agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. The biggest benefit of price shopping on the web is you may find the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.

Upon completion of this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is instantly submitted to local insurance agents who will battle for your coverage. You won’t need to leave your house because quoted prices will be sent immediately to your email address. How’s that for easy!

Choosing a company needs to be determined by more than just a cheap price. Any agent should have no problem answering these questions:

  • Who are their largest clients?
  • Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
  • Which members of your family are coverage by the policy?
  • Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
  • Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
  • What insurance companies do they recommend if they are an independent agent?
  • What is the agency’s Better Business Bureau rating?
  • Will your rates increase after a single accident?

Captive or Independent: There is a difference

When searching for an insurance agent, there are two different types of agents from which to choose. Summit agents are categorized either captive or independent. While both can insure your vehicles, but it’s worth learning how they differ since it can impact the selection process.insurance quote Summit

Captive Agents

These agents can only write with one company and examples are Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. These agents are not able to shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agencies are usually quite knowledgeable on the products they sell and that can be a competitive advantage. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents primarily because of the prominence of the brand and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Listed below are Summit captive agents that can give you comparison quotes.

  • State Farm Insurance – 35 Beechwood Rd # 2d – Summit, NJ 07901 – (908) 277-4099
  • Allstate Insurance Co – 469 Morris Ave – Summit, NJ 07901 – (908) 598-9302
Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents are not locked into one company but rather can write business with many different companies and potentially find a lower price. If you are not satisfied with one company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When searching for an agent, we recommend you include at least one independent agent for maximum quote selection. Many write coverage with different regional companies which can save you money.

Shown below is a list of independent insurance agencies in Summit that are able to give price quotes.

  • Palisades Safety and Insurance – – Summit, NJ 7901 – (908) 918-7928
  • Allsopp Co and Insurance – 803 Springfield Ave – Summit, NJ 07901 – (908) 608-1700
  • Richland-Knowles Agency – 315 Springfield Ave # 2 – Summit, NJ 07901 – (908) 273-7100

For a full directory of Summit insurance agents, view this link.

Once you have received answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and an acceptable price quote, it’s possible that you found a car insurance agent that meets your needs to properly insure your vehicles.

You are unique and your auto insurance should be too

When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance coverage for your vehicles, there really is no cookie cutter policy. Coverage needs to be tailored to your specific needs.

These are some specific questions may help you determine if your insurance needs would benefit from an agent’s advice.

New Jersey car insurance quote

  • Do I pay less if my vehicle is kept in my garage?
  • Does my vehicle qualify for pleasure use?
  • What happens if I owe more than my vehicle is worth?
  • How many claims can I have before being cancelled?
  • Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
  • When would I need additional glass coverage?
  • Do I have coverage when making deliveries for my home business?

If you can’t answer these questions but you think they might apply to your situation then you might want to talk to a licensed insurance agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, take a second and complete this form. It’s fast, free and can help protect your family.

Additional detailed information is located at the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website. New Jersey drivers can download brochures, learn about specific coverages, and find a variety of consumer forms.

In conclusion

Drivers switch companies for any number of reasons including poor customer service, extreme rates for teen drivers, denial of a claim and policy non-renewal. Regardless of your reason, finding a new company can be easy and end up saving you some money.

We just presented a lot of techniques to save on auto insurance. The most important thing to understand is the more rate comparisons you have, the better your comparison will be. You may even find the most savings is with a small mutual company.

Affordable auto insurance is available on the web in addition to many Summit insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both in order to have the best chance of saving money. A few companies do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these smaller companies sell through independent agents.