Learn How to Compare Augusta, ME Car Insurance Like an Expert

Are you overwhelmed by the sheer number of car insurance company choices in Augusta? You have a lot of company. Drivers have so many options that it can easily become a real challenge to find the lowest price.

Consumers should take time to shop coverage around quite often because rates go up and down regularly. Just because you had the lowest price six months ago there may be better deals available now. Starting now, ignore everything you know about car insurance because you’re going to learn the only way to find better rates and still maintain coverage.

Make smart decisions and save

It’s important that you understand some of the elements that come into play when calculating the price you pay for car insurance. Having a good understanding of what impacts premium levels helps enable you to make changes that will entitle you to much lower annual insurance costs.

The list below includes a few of the “ingredients” that factor into prices.

• How credit affects car insurance rates – A driver’s credit rating is a big factor in determining what you pay for car insurance. People with good credit tend to be more responsible as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. If your credit score can use some improvement, you could be paying less to insure your by improving your credit score.
• Higher deductibles cost less – Coverage for physical damage, otherwise known as comp (or other than collision) and collision, protects your car from damage. Some instances where coverage would apply would be colliding with a building, damage caused by hail, and rolling your vehicle. Physical damage deductibles are the amount of money you are willing to pay if you file a covered claim. The more you are required to pay out-of-pocket, the less your car insurance will be.
• High crash test scores lower rates – Safer cars are cheaper to insure. Safe vehicles reduce injuries and fewer injuries translates into savings for insurance companies and more competitive rates for policyholders.
• Sex matters – Statistics demonstrate women are more cautious behind the wheel. However, this does not mean women are BETTER drivers than men. Women and men tend to get into accidents at about the same rate, but the males have costlier accidents. They also get more serious tickets such as DWI and reckless driving. Teenage male drivers are several times more likely to be in an accident and thus pay the highest rates.
• What type of vehicle do you drive? – The type of vehicle you drive makes a significant difference in how high your rates are. Low performance passenger cars generally receive the lowest base rates, but other factors influence the final cost greatly.
• Add-on coverages can add up – There are a ton of additional coverages you can purchase when buying car insurance. Coverages like roadside assistance, better glass coverage and term life insurance may be costing you every month. They may seem like a good idea initially, but if they’re wasting money get rid of them and save.

Cheap Augusta Car Insurance Comparisons

Finding cheaper car insurance prices can be surprisingly simple. You just need to take the time comparing rates online with multiple companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

1. The fastest way consumers can analyze rates is an all-inclusive rate comparison click to view form in new window. This form keeps you from doing repetitive form entry for each company you want a rate for. One quote request compares rates from many national carriers. This is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time.
2. A more difficult way to find lower rates is going to the website of each company to complete their respective quote request forms. For examples sake, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from USAA, Safeco and Travelers. You would have to take the time to go to each site to input your insurance information, which is why most consumers use the first method.

   To view a list of companies in Augusta, click here.

3. The least efficient method of comparing rate quotes is to waste gas driving to insurance agents’ offices. The internet eliminates the need for an insurance agent unless you prefer the professional guidance only provided by licensed agents. It is possible to find lower rates online but buy from a local insurance agent.

It’s up to you which method you use, but double check that you are using apples-to-apples coverage information for each price quote. If you enter higher or lower deductibles it’s not possible to make an equal comparison in Augusta.

Can you really save that much by switching?

Maine consumers can’t ignore all the ads for car insurance savings by Allstate and Progressive. They all seem to make an identical promise about savings if you change to their company.

How can each company make almost identical claims? This is how they do it.

Different companies are able to cherry pick for the type of driver that earns them a profit. For example, a driver they prefer could possibly be over the age of 50, has no prior claims, and has a short commute. A propective insured that hits that “sweet spot” receives the best rates and as a result will probably save when they switch companies.

Drivers who don’t meet the requirements will be quoted more money which usually ends up with the driver buying from a lower-cost company. The ad wording is “drivers who switch” not “everyone that quotes” save that kind of money. That’s the way companies can truthfully claim big savings. This emphasizes why drivers must get a wide range of price quotes. It’s impossible to know the company that will provide you with the cheapest rates.

Discounts are available to cut your rates

Companies that sell car insurance don’t always list all their discounts in an easy-to-find place, so we took the time to find some of the best known and also the lesser-known discounts you could be receiving. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you are paying more than you should be.

• Pay Now and Pay Less – By paying your policy upfront instead of making monthly payments you may reduce your total bill.
• Multi-car Discount – Buying insurance for more than one vehicle on one policy may reduce the rate for each vehicle.
• Life Insurance Discount – Companies who offer life insurance give a break if you buy life insurance.
• Federal Government Employee – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can earn a discount up to 10% with select insurance companies.
• No Claims – Drivers who don’t have accidents pay less as compared to frequent claim filers.
• Resident Student – Any of your kids who are attending college and do not have a car can receive lower rates.
• Drivers Education – Cut your cost by having your teen driver take driver’s ed class if offered at their school.
• Discounts for Safe Drivers – Drivers who don’t get into accidents may receive a discount up to 45% less than their less cautious counterparts.

It’s important to note that most of the big mark downs will not be given the the whole policy. Most only reduce specific coverage prices like medical payments or collision. So even though they make it sound like all those discounts means the company will pay you, you’re out of luck.

For a list of providers with the best car insurance discounts in Augusta, follow this link.

Don’t I need to talk to an agent?

Some consumers just want to buy from a licensed agent. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and give you peace of mind. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is that you can obtain the best rates but also keep your business local.

Once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance coverage information is emailed to companies in Augusta who will battle for your coverage. You won’t need to leave your computer as quotes are delivered to the email address you provide. Now that’s easy!

Selecting an provider needs to be determined by more than just the premium amount. These questions are important to ask:

• Do they receive special compensation for putting your coverage with one company over another?
• Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
• Is the agency involved in supporting local community causes?
• Is working in the agency their full-time job?
• Does the agency have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau?

Shown below are Augusta insurers that are able to give rate quotes.

• State Farm Insurance – 86 Western Ave, Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 622-6383
• Allstate Insurance – 116 Western Ave, Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 626-0001
• Edmund J Quirion Insurance – 10 Amherst St, Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 622-6784
• AAA Insurance – 475 Western Ave, Augusta, ME 04330 – (207) 622-2221

To view a complete directory of Augusta insurance agents, visit this site.

After receiving answers to your satisfaction and locked in a price quote, chances are good that you have found a company that is a good match to adequately provide car insurance.

Even more information is located at the Maine Bureau of Insurance website. Maine consumers can learn about specific coverages, download brochures, find disaster information, and read enforcement actions against agents and companies.

One last thing

When trying to cut insurance costs, you should never buy less coverage just to save a little money. There have been many cases where consumers will sacrifice comprehensive coverage or liability limits only to regret at claim time that their decision to reduce coverage ended up costing them more. The ultimate goal is to purchase plenty of coverage at a price you can afford while not skimping on critical coverages.

Consumers change insurance companies for a number of reasons such as being labeled a high risk driver, extreme rates for teen drivers, poor customer service and lack of trust in their agent. No matter why you want to switch, choosing a new insurance company is actually quite simple.

Affordable car insurance is available online and with local Augusta insurance agents, so compare prices from both to have the best chance of lowering rates. Some companies do not offer the ability to get a quote online and usually these small insurance companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.