Strategies for Effectively Comparing Exeter Auto Insurance Rates

Are you tired of trying to scrape together enough money to insure your vehicles every month? You are no different than many other Rhode Island consumers. Because you have many different company options, it can be hard to choose the best insurer.

You should make it a habit to compare rates before your policy renews since rates are rarely the same from one policy term to another. Even if you think you had the best price six months ago you can probably find a lower rate today. Forget anything you know (or think you know) about auto insurance because you’re about to learn the things you must know in order to find great coverage at a great price.

Comprehensive Exeter Auto Insurance Comparison

Getting better auto insurance pricing doesn’t have to be difficult. You just have to invest a few minutes to compare rate quotes online from several insurance companies. It is quite easy and can be accomplished in several different ways.

The recommended way consumers can make multiple comparisons would be an industry-wide quote request form like this one (opens in new window). This form saves time by eliminating separate quotation requests to each individual auto insurance company. One form submission will return price quotes from many national carriers.

A more difficult way to compare prices consists of going to the website for every company you want to comare and complete a new quote form. For example, let’s assume you want comparison quotes from Auto-Owners, Allstate and Liberty Mutual. To find out each rate you need to go to every website and enter your policy data, which is why the first method is quicker. For a list of links to companies insuring cars in Exeter, click here.

The least efficient method of comparing rate quotes is to waste gas driving to and from local Exeter insurance agencies. Shopping for auto insurance online can eliminate the need for a local agent unless you have a need for the trained guidance of a licensed agent. It is possible to price shop online but buy from a local insurance agent and we’ll talk about that later.

It doesn’t matter which method you choose, just ensure you’re using identical coverages and limits on every quote. If each company quotes higher or lower deductibles you can’t possibly determine which rate is truly the best in Exeter.

Lower rates by qualifying for discounts

Insuring your vehicles can cost a lot, but you can get discounts to cut the cost considerably. Most are applied at the time of purchase, but lesser-known reductions have to be specially asked for before being credited. If they aren’t giving you every credit possible, you’re paying more than you need to.

Clubs and Organizations – Being a member of a professional or civic organization is a good way to get lower rates when buying auto insurance.
Braking Control Discount – Vehicles equipped with ABS or steering control prevent accidents and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
Pay Now and Pay Less – If you pay your bill all at once rather than paying monthly you could save 5% or more.
New Car Discount – Insuring a new car is cheaper due to better safety requirements for new cars.
More Vehicles More Savings – Buying insurance for multiple cars or trucks with the same company qualifies for this discount.

A little note about advertised discounts, some of the credits will not apply the the whole policy. Most only apply to specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Even though it may seem like you can get free auto insurance, it doesn’t quite work that way. Any qualifying discounts will reduce the amount you have to pay.

To choose providers who offer auto insurance discounts in Exeter, click here. auto insurance image

What about my local Exeter agents?

Certain consumers would prefer to sit down with an agent and that is just fine! Professional agents are trained to spot inefficiencies and help you file claims. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is you can get the lowest rates and still choose a local agent. Supporting small agencies is important especially in Exeter.

For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), your insurance data is sent to insurance agents in Exeter who will battle to get your business. You never need to leave your computer because quoted prices will be sent to the email address you provide. How’s that for easy!

Is a captive or independent insurance agent right for you?

When finding an insurance agent, you need to know there are two types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Agencies in Exeter are categorized either captive or independent. Either one can write coverage properly, but it’s worth mentioning the difference between them since it may influence buying decisions.

Independent Agents

Independent agents are not required to write business for one company but instead can place your coverage with many different companies enabling the ability to shop coverage around. To move your coverage to a new company, they simply move the coverage in-house and you won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, you should always include at least one independent agent for the best price selection.

Captive Agents

Captive insurance agents have only one company to place business with such as Liberty Mutual, Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. Captives cannot place coverage with different providers so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captives are trained well on their products and sales techniques which helps them compete with independent agents.

Choosing an insurance agency requires more thought than just the bottom line cost. Agents should be asked these questions:

Are claims handled at the agent’s location?
Does the agency provide any after hours assistance?
What will you get paid if your car is a total loss? How is that amount determined?
Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
Do the coverages you’re quoting properly cover your vehicle?
Can glass repairs be made at your home?
How are claims handled?

After receiving positive responses to any questions you have as well as a affordable price, it’s possible that you found an insurance agent that can properly service your auto insurance policy.

When might I need an agent?

When choosing the best auto insurance coverage, there isn’t really a cookie cutter policy. Everyone’s situation is unique and a cookie cutter policy won’t apply. Here are some questions about coverages that may help you determine whether you would benefit from an agent’s advice.

Are there companies who specialize in insuring high-risk drivers?
Do I need PIP coverage since I have good health insurance?
Does my medical payments coverage pay my health insurance deductible?
Do I need medical payments coverage since I have good health insurance?
Are split liability limits better than a combined single limit?
Can my teen driver be rated on a liability-only vehicle?

If you’re not sure about those questions but you think they might apply to your situation, you may need to chat with an agent. If you want to speak to an agent in your area, complete this form or click here for a list of auto insurance companies in your area. It is quick, free and you can get the answers you need.

Why your price might be higher

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the rating factors that play a part in calculating the price you pay for auto insurance. Knowing what determines base rates enables informed choices that may reward you with big savings.

Safer occupants lowers premiums – Vehicles with high crash test scores can get you lower premiums. These vehicles protect occupants better and any reduction in injury severity translates into fewer and smaller insurance claims and thus lower rates.
Add-on coverages can add up – There are a lot of extra bells and whistles that can waste your money if you aren’t careful. Insurance for rental car reimbursement, accident forgiveness and term life insurance are examples of these. These may sound like a good investment initially, but if they’re wasting money eliminate the coverages to reduce your premium.
Do you have enough liability coverage? – Liability insurance is the protection in the event that a jury decides you are liable for personal injury or accident damage. It provides legal defense coverage starting from day one. Liability is cheap compared to physical damage coverage, so drivers should carry high limits.
Is your vehicle built for speed? – The make and model of the car you are insuring makes a huge difference in determining your rates. Lower performance four cylinder passenger cars receive the most favorable rates, but the final cost of insurance is determined by many other factors.
Marriage brings a discount – Being married actually saves money when buying auto insurance. Marriage is viewed as being more mature and it’s proven that married couples file fewer claims.
Your credit rating is important – Your credit score is a big factor in determining what you pay for auto insurance. Consumers who have high credit scores tend to be less risk to insure as compared to drivers with lower credit scores. Therefore, if your credit is low, you could save money insuring your by improving your credit score.
More people means more accidents – Residing in small towns and rural areas has it’s advantages when talking about auto insurance. Drivers in populated areas have to deal with congested traffic and longer commutes to work. Lower population means a lower chance of having an accident and also fewer theft and vandalism claims.
Proper usage rating affects rates – The higher the mileage driven every year the higher your rate. The majority of insurers apply a rate determined by how the vehicle is used. Cars and trucks used primarily for pleasure use can get a lower rate than vehicles that are driven to work every day. Double check that your auto insurance declarations sheet properly reflects the correct usage for each vehicle, because it can save money.

The best insurance company isn’t always the cheapest

As you prepare to switch companies, you should never sacrifice coverage to reduce premiums. Too many times, someone sacrificed physical damage coverage and learned later they didn’t purchase enough coverage. Your aim should be to buy enough coverage at a price you can afford.

We’ve covered a lot of ways to shop for auto insurance online. It’s most important to understand that the more companies you get rates for, the higher the chance of saving money. You may even find the lowest premiums are with the smaller companies. Smaller companies may only write in your state and offer lower rates as compared to the big name companies such as Allstate, GEICO and Progressive.

Much more information about auto insurance in Rhode Island is located on the website for the Rhode Island Division of Insurance Regulation found here. Visitors are able to find a variety of consumer forms, download brochures, learn about specific coverages, and find out industry alerts.