Things You Must Know Before Buying Wheat Ridge, CO Auto Insurance Online

If you are a novice to online auto insurance shopping, it’s easy to be confused because of the huge number of companies offering coverage in Wheat Ridge.

Buying car insurance in Wheat Ridge is quite easy. If you are paying for car insurance now, you stand a good chance to be able to save some money using these techniques. Colorado drivers only need an understanding of the most effective way to compare rates on the web.

Compare Auto Insurance Today

All the larger auto insurance companies give coverage prices online. Getting quotes is pretty painless as you simply enter your coverage preferences as detailed in the form. After you submit the form their system automatically retrieves your driving and credit reports and gives you a price quote based on many factors.

Quoting online makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the process of having to visit each company’s website and repetitively type in the same information can be a bit tiresome and repetitive. But it’s absolutely necessary to have as many quotes as possible in order to find a lower rate.

A more efficient way to find better auto insurance pricing uses one simple form to get prices from several different companies. The form is fast, requires much less work on your part, and makes comparison shopping much more efficient. As soon as the form is sent, your coverage is rated and you are able to buy any one of the quotes that you receive. If one or more price quotes are lower than your current rates, it’s easy to complete the application and buy the new coverage. It can be completed in a matter of minutes and can result in significant savings.

If you want to compare rates now, simply click here to open in new window and submit your coverage information. If you have a policy now, it’s recommended you replicate deductibles and limits just like they are on your policy. This way, you’re receiving a rate comparison using the same coverage and limits.

Learn How to Lower your Rates

An important part of buying insurance is that you know the factors that play a part in calculating your auto insurance rates. Having a good understanding of what controls the rates you pay empowers consumers to make smart changes that may reward you with lower auto insurance prices.

Shown below are some of the items used by your company to calculate rates.

Liability coverage is cheap – Liability coverage is the protection in the event that a jury decides you are liable for causing damage or personal injury in an accident. Liability provides you with a defense in court starting from day one. Liability is cheap when compared with rates for comp and collision, so do not skimp.
Your age impacts your rates – Youthful drivers in Colorado are statistically proven to be careless and easily distracted when driving so auto insurance rates are higher. Adding a teenage driver to your policy can really hurt. More mature drivers are more cautious drivers, tend to cause fewer accidents and are safer drivers.
Occupation reflects on rates – Did you know your auto insurance rates can be affected by your occupation? Careers like real estate brokers, executives and financial analysts tend to pay higher average rates due to job stress and long work hours. Conversely, professions such as scientists, engineers and performers have the lowest average rates.
Equipment add-ons that lower auto insurance rates – Purchasing a vehicle with anti-theft technology or alarm system can help lower your rates. Anti-theft devices like GM’s OnStar, tamper alarm systems and vehicle immobilizers all aid in stopping your car from being stolen.

Don’t miss out on these money-saving discounts

Car insurance companies don’t necessarily list all available discounts very clearly, so we break down some of the more common and the harder-to-find savings tricks you should be using. If you’re not getting every credit available, you’re paying more than you need to.

Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles with anti-theft systems are stolen less frequently and earn discounts up to 10%.
Passive Restraints and Air Bags – Factory air bags can receive discounts of more than 20%.
Employee of Federal Government – Being employed by or retired from a federal job can save as much as 8% with certain companies.
Fewer Miles Equal More Savings – Low mileage vehicles can qualify you for lower rates on the low mileage vehicles.
No Claims – Good drivers with no accidents pay less compared to frequent claim filers.
Drivers Ed for Students – Cut your cost by having your teen driver complete a driver education course if offered at their school.
Save over 55 – If you’re over the age of 55, you may receive better auto insurance rates.
Distant Student – Any of your kids who are attending college and do not have access to a covered vehicle can receive lower rates.
Use Seat Belts – Using a seat belt and requiring all passengers to wear their seat belts can save 10% or more off your PIP or medical payments premium.
Multi-policy Discount – When you combine your home and auto insurance with the same company you will save up to 20% off your total premium.

It’s important to note that some credits don’t apply to the entire policy premium. The majority will only reduce specific coverage prices like comp or med pay. Just because it seems like it’s possible to get free car insurance, it just doesn’t work that way. auto insurance image

But I prefer to buy car insurance from an agent

Certain consumers prefer to get advice from a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. Educated insurance agents can help determine the best coverages and help in the event of a claim. One of the great benefits of comparing insurance prices online is that you can obtain lower rates and still choose a local agent.

To help locate an agent, after submitting this short form, the coverage information is submitted to companies in Wheat Ridge who will battle for your business. You won’t need to even leave your home due to the fact that quote results will go immediately to your email address. It doesn’t get any easier!

Choosing an provider should depend on more than just the premium amount. Some important questions to ask are:

Will your rates increase after a single accident?
Do they have adequate Errors and Ommissions coverage? This protects you if they make a mistake.
Are they able to influence company decisions when a claim is filed?
Do they regularly work with personal auto policies?
Is working in the agency their full-time job?
Are claim adjusters local or do you have to take your car somewhere else?
Do they have advanced training designations such as CPCU, AAI, AIC, or CIC?
Is vehicle mileage a factor when determining depreciation for repairs?

Compare rates from both independent and captive insurance agents

If you’re trying to find local Wheat Ridge agents, there are a couple of types of insurance agents from which to choose. Agents can either be independent or captive. Either one can do a good job, but it’s important to know how they are different because it can impact the type of agent you choose

Captive Insurance Agents

This type of agents can only write with one company and some examples include Allstate, Farmers Insurance or State Farm. They generally cannot shop your coverage around so it’s a take it or leave it situation. Captive agents are well schooled on their products and sales techniques which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Consumers sometimes buy from captive agents mostly because of the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.

Below are captive agencies in Wheat Ridge that are able to give comparison quotes.

Allstate Insurance – 10185 W 49th Ave – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 232-6060
State Farm Insurance – 7754 W 38th Ave – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 422-3429
Farmers Insurance Group – 3805 Newland St – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 421-4550

Independent Insurance Agents

These agents do not work for one specific company so they can insure your vehicles amongst many companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, your agent can switch companies and you won’t have to switch agencies.

When shopping rates, it’s a good idea to include price quotes from at least one independent agent to have the most options to choose from. Most have the option of insuring with smaller regional carriers which can save you money.

Below are independent insurance agents in Wheat Ridge willing to provide price quotes.

Truckers Equity Agency Inc – 10200 W 44th Ave # 134 – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 430-5725
Bob Leid Agency – 7615 W 38th Ave # B109 – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 422-2018
SCA Insurance – 4800 Wadsworth Blvd – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 456-4487
Commercial Insurance Concepts – 4251 Kipling St # 190 – Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 – (303) 420-1800

For a complete listing of insurance agents in Wheat Ridge, simply jump to this page.

After getting answers to your satisfaction for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, you may have just found an auto insurance agent that will insure your vehicles.

Final considerations

As you prepare to switch companies, it’s not a good idea to buy less coverage just to save a little money. In too many instances, an insured cut liability limits or collision coverage and learned later that the savings was not a smart move. Your focus should be to purchase a proper amount of coverage at the best price, not the least amount of coverage.

People switch companies for a variety of reasons including questionable increases in premium, an unsatisfactory settlement offer, poor customer service or even delays in responding to claim requests. Regardless of your reason, finding the right auto insurance provider is not as hard as you think.

Cheaper auto insurance is possible on the web in addition to many Wheat Ridge insurance agents, and you should be comparing both in order to have the best price selection to choose from. There are still a few companies who do not provide the ability to get a quote online and usually these small, regional companies provide coverage only through local independent agents.

More tips and info about auto insurance is available at the Colorado DORA Division of Insurance website. Colorado consumers can read enforcement actions against agents and companies, find disaster information, and get help finding coverage.