Is Your East Orange New Jersey Auto Insurance Costing Too Much?

Finding the lowest cost East Orange auto insurance over the internet can be challenging for people who are new to buying insurance online. With so many insurers to choose from, how can East Orange drivers even start to compare every one to find the cheapest rates?

If you are paying for car insurance now, you will be able to cut costs considerably using these methods. Shopping for the cheapest protection in East Orange is quite easy. But New Jersey vehicle owners must comprehend the way insurance companies sell online and apply this information to your search.

Free Quotes for Auto Insurance in East Orange

When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways to compare rate quotes from auto insurance companies in your area. The easiest way to find competitive insurance rates is to get quotes online. This is very easy and can be done using a couple different methods.

1. Probably the best way to get quotes for comparison is a comparison rater form (click to open form in new window). This method keeps you from doing separate quote forms for every auto insurance company. Just one form will get you price quotes from multiple low-cost companies.It’s the quickest way to get rates.
2. A different way to analyze rates is to manually visit each company website and request a quote. For examples sake, we’ll assume you want to compare Nationwide, Liberty Mutual and State Farm. To get rate quotes you would 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 companies insuring cars in East Orange, click here.

Whichever method you choose, ensure you are comparing the exact same coverages with every price quote. If you are comparing different liability limits you will not be able to determine the lowest rate in East Orange. Having just a slight variation in coverages could mean much higher rates. Just keep in mind that quoting more helps locate the best price.

Discounts are basically free money

Car insurance companies don’t always list every available discount very well, so the following is a list of some of the more common and also the lesser-known savings tricks you should be using.

• Save with a New Car – Adding a new car to your policy can save up to 30% since new cars are generally safer.
• Distant Student – Kids in college who live away from home and don’t have a car can be insured at a reduced rate.
• Save over 55 – Older drivers may be able to get a discount up to 10%.
• Accident Waiver – Some insurance companies allow you one accident before raising your premiums as long as you don’t have any claims prior to the accident.
• Discount for Swiching Early – A few companies offer discounts for buying a policy before your current expiration date. The savings is around 10%.
• E-sign – Certain companies give back up to $50 simply for signing over the internet.
• Anti-lock Brake System – Anti-lock brake equipped vehicles prevent accidents and qualify for as much as a 10% discount.
• Discount for Good Grades – This discount can get you a discount of up to 25%. The good student discount can last up to age 25.
• Safety Course Discount – Completing a driver safety course could save 5% or more depending on where you live.
• Military Rewards – Being on active duty in the military can result in better rates.

As a disclaimer on discounts, some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. The majority will only reduce the cost of specific coverages such as liability and collision coverage. So even though it sounds like all those discounts means the company will pay you, companies don’t profit that way.

Which insurance is the “right” coverage?

When choosing coverage, there really is not a perfect coverage plan. Everyone’s situation is a little different.

Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether you would benefit from professional advice.

• Am I covered when using my vehicle for business?
• When do I need to add a new car to my policy?
• Are rental cars covered under my policy?
• Am I covered when delivering products for my home-based business?
• Am I covered if I drive in a foreign country?
• Where can I get insurance after a DUI in New Jersey?
• When should my teen driver be added to my policy?
• Am I covered by my spouse’s policy after a separation?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, you might consider talking to a licensed insurance agent. To find lower rates from a local agent, complete this form.

Tips to Get Lower East Orange Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that go into determining the rates you pay for auto insurance. Understanding what determines base rates empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with big savings.

• Being married is a good thing – Having a wife or husband helps lower the price on your auto insurance policy. Marriage translates into being more mature and it’s proven that being married results in fewer claims.
• Don’t get talked into coverage you don’t need – There are many add-on coverages that can waste your money on your policy. Coverages for personal injury protection, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are some examples. These coverages may sound good at first, but if they’re wasting money eliminate them to save money.
• Poor driving leads to higher costs – Drivers with clean records have lower premiums than people who have multiple driving citations. Even one speeding ticket may increase your cost twenty percent or more. Drivers who have severe citations such as hit and run, DWI or reckless driving convictions may need to submit a SR-22 form to the state department of motor vehicles in order to drive a vehicle legally.
• Protect your assets with liability insurance – Liability insurance will protect you if ever you are found to be at fault for damages caused by your negligence. It provides for a legal defense which can cost thousands of dollars. This coverage is very inexpensive compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
• Where you reside plays a part – Being located in less populated areas has it’s advantages when buying auto insurance. City drivers have congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Fewer people translates into fewer accidents as well as less vandalism and auto theft.

Is there truth in advertising?

GEICO, State Farm and Progressive constantly bombard you with ads in print and on television. All the companies make the same claim about savings if you switch to their company. But how can every company make the same claim?

Different companies have a preferred profile for the type of customer that is profitable for them. An example of a preferred risk could possibly be between 25 and 40, a clean driving record, and drives less than 7,500 miles a year. Any new insured who fits that profile will qualify for the lowest rates and as a result will probably pay quite a bit less when switching companies.

Potential customers who don’t qualify for the “perfect” profile will have to pay higher premiums and this can result in the customer not buying. The ads say “drivers who switch” not “people who quote” save that much money. This is how insurance companies can confidently state the savings. Because of the profiling, drivers should get a wide range of price quotes. You cannot predict which auto insurance company will provide you with the cheapest rates.

More comparisons equals lower rates

Affordable auto insurance is possible from both online companies in addition to many East Orange insurance agents, so you should be comparing quotes from both to have the best selection. There are still a few companies who do not provide you the ability to get quotes online and most of the time these small insurance companies sell through independent agents.

When buying insurance coverage, it’s not a good idea to buy poor coverage just to save money. There are a lot of situations where an insured cut comprehensive coverage or liability limits to discover at claim time that the small savings ended up costing them much more. Your focus should be to buy enough coverage at an affordable rate, not the least amount of coverage.

We just showed you some good ideas how to shop for auto insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more price quotes you have, the better your comparison will be. Drivers may discover the most savings is with a small mutual company.

Even more information is located at the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website. New Jersey consumers can get help finding coverage, file complaints about an insurance agent or broker, and learn about insurance regulations.

Additional helpful sites include this Car Insurance FAQ and this list of insurance agents in East Orange, NJ.