New Techniques for Cutting Costs on on Wallingford, CT Auto Insurance

Finding affordable Wallingford auto insurance can seem to be nearly impossible for consumers not familiar with shopping for insurance online. People have so many options available that it can turn into more work than you anticipated to find lower rates in Wallingford.

It’s important to do rate comparisons once or twice a year since insurance rates are adjusted regularly by insurance companies. Just because you found the best price a couple years back the chances are good that you can find a lower rate today. Block out anything you think you know about auto insurance because you’re about to learn how to quote online to reduce your cost while improving coverage.

If you currently have car insurance, you will be able to cut costs considerably using this strategy. Locating the lowest cost auto insurance in Wallingford is quite easy. Nevertheless, Connecticut vehicle owners need to have an understanding of how insurance companies price online insurance because it can help you find the best coverage.

Comprehensive Auto Insurance Comparison in Wallingford, Connecticut

When shopping for auto insurance there are multiple ways to compare quotes and find the best price. The quickest method to find competitive insurance rates is to use the internet to compare rates. This can be done in just a few minutes using one of these methods.

One of the best ways to get quotes is to use a rate comparison form click to view form in new window. This easy form eliminates the need for separate quote forms for every auto insurance company. One form will get you price quotes from multiple low-cost companies. It’s definitely the quickest method.

A more time consuming way to compare rate quotes is spending the time to visit the website of each company to complete a price quote. For example, we’ll assume you want to compare rates from State Farm, Esurance and American Family. To get each rate you have to visit each site to input your insurance information, which is why the first method is quicker.

For a handy list of car insurance company links in Wallingford, click here.

The least recommended way of comparing rate quotes is to spend time driving to insurance agents’ offices. Shopping for auto insurance online has reduced the need for local agents unless you want the trained guidance of a local Wallingford agent. Drivers can compare online quotes but still have the advice of a local agent and you’ll learn how to do that later.

It’s your choice how you get your quotes, but compare identical coverage limits with each company. If each company quotes different limits and deductibles on each one it will be impossible to make a fair comparison in Wallingford. Slightly different limits may result in a large different in cost. And when quoting auto insurance, remember that comparing a large number of companies will improve the odds of getting lower pricing.

Policy discounts you shouldn’t miss

Companies offering auto insurance do not advertise every available discount very clearly, so here is a list both the well known as well as the least known discounts you could be receiving.

  • Passive Restraint Discount – Cars that have air bags or automatic seat belts can qualify for discounts of 20% or more.
  • Sign Early and Save – Select companies give a discount for switching policies before your current policy expires. It can save you around 10%.
  • Theft Prevention Discount – Anti-theft and alarm systems prevent vehicle theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
  • Accident Waiver – A handful of insurance companies will allow you to have one accident before raising your premiums if you are claim-free for a particular time prior to the accident.
  • New Car Discount – Putting insurance coverage on a new car can save up to 30% compared to insuring an older model.
  • Low Mileage – Keeping the miles down can earn better rates on cars that stay parked.

Consumers should know that some of the credits will not apply to the overall cost of the policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Just because you may think you could get a free auto insurance policy, companies don’t profit that way.

To choose companies offering auto insurance discounts in Connecticut, click here to view.

Can’t I compare rates from local Wallingford agents?

A small number of people just want to buy from a local agent and that is a personal choice. One of the great benefits of getting online price quotes is that you can obtain the best rates and still have an agent to talk to.compare rates in Wallingford

For easy comparison, once you complete this quick form, the coverage information is transmitted to participating agents in Wallingford who will battle to get your business. There is no need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go directly to your email. Now that’s easy! You can find the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.

Selecting an insurance company should depend on more than just the price. Some important questions to ask are:

  • Do they feel the quoted coverages are adequate?
  • Do they carry Errors and Omissions coverage?
  • If you are a high risk driver, do they have special markets for your coverage?
  • Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?
  • Are they properly licensed to sell insurance in Connecticut?
  • Do you have coverage for a rental car if your vehicle is in the repair shop?
  • Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
  • Are there any discounts that you might be missing?

Types of insurance agents

When searching for a good Wallingford insurance agent, you must know there are a couple types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agents are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.

Captive Insurance Agents

Captive agents write business for a single company and examples are Farmers Insurance, American Family, State Farm and Allstate. These agents are unable to provide prices from multiple companies so it’s a take it or leave it situation. These agents are very knowledgeable on their products and sales techniques which can be an advantage. Some people will only choose to use a captive agent primarily because of the brand legacy and the convenience of having a single billing for all their coverages.

Listed below are Wallingford captive agents who may provide you with rate quotes.

  • State Farm Insurance – 1211 S Broad St – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 269-9330
  • Allstate Insurance – 253 Center St – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 265-0477
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance – 101 Barnes Rd – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 294-1505
Independent Agencies or Brokers

These agents are not employed by any specific company but instead can place your coverage amongst many companies depending on which coverage is best. If you are not satisfied with one company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you don’t have to find a new agent. When comparing rates, you should always get quotes from at least one independent agent to get the best comparison.Most can insure with smaller companies which can save you money.

Shown below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Wallingford who can help you get price quote information.

  • Michalowski Agency – 821 E Center St – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 697-1142
  • Robert Borruso Agency – 196 N Colony Rd – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 949-8073
  • Webster Insurance – 112 S Turnpike Rd – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 741-3500
  • J J Fishbein Inc Insurance – 21 N Main St – Wallingford, CT 06492 – (203) 265-9474

For a complete listing of auto insurance agents in Wallingford, please go to this site.

Upon getting answers to your satisfaction to your questions and an affordable coverage quote, chances are good that you have found a car insurance agent that is a good match to provide auto insurance coverage.

When should I talk to an agent?

When buying coverage, there isn’t really a one size fits all plan. Every situation is different.

Here are some questions about coverages that can aid in determining if your situation may require specific advice.

save money in Wallingford

  • What is covered by UM/UIM coverage?
  • Is my vehicle covered for flood damage?
  • What vehicles should carry emergency assistance coverage?
  • Exactly who is provided coverage by my policy?
  • What are the financial responsibility laws in Connecticut?
  • Do I need rental car coverage?
  • Which companies will insure high-risk drivers?
  • Why am I required to get a high-risk car insurance policy?
  • Should I drop comprehensive coverage on older vehicles?
  • Does my car insurance cover rental cars?

If it’s difficult to answer those questions, then you may want to think about talking to a licensed insurance agent. If you don’t have a local agent, complete this form.

Even more information can be read at the Connecticut Insurance Department website. Connecticut drivers can find a variety of consumer forms, view a list of available companies, and read consumer alerts.

Other informative sites include these car insurance answers and this page on QuoteClickInsure.com.

Summing up your auto insurance search

You just learned some good ideas how you can shop for auto insurance online. The most important thing to understand is the more price quotes you have, the better likelihood of reducing your rate. Drivers may discover the lowest premiums are with a small mutual company.

Drivers change insurance companies for any number of reasons including policy cancellation, delays in paying claims, high prices or even high rates after DUI convictions. It doesn’t matter what your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is pretty easy and you might even save some money in the process.

While you’re price shopping online, don’t be tempted to skimp on coverage in order to save money. In many cases, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage only to find out that a couple dollars of savings turned into a financial nightmare. The aim is to purchase a proper amount of coverage for the lowest price.